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SKETCHES 


HISTORY,  CHARACTER,  AND  DYING  TESTIMONY, 


BEIEFICIARIES 


THE  COLORED  HOME,  IN  THE  CITY 
OF  NEW-YORK. 


Do 

PREPARED    BT 

MAEY  W.  THOMPSON, 

AND    PUBLISHED    FOR    THE    BENEFIT    OF    THE    INSTITUTION. 


NEW-YOKK : 
JOHN   F.  TROW,  PRINTER,  49,  51  &  53  ANN-ST. 

1851, 


Darkness,  which  might  be  felt, 

Hung  o'er  that  dreary  land, 
Where  Afric's  sable  children  dwelt 

Amidst  its  glittering  sand. 
Those  shadows  there,  might  still 

Have  direful  influence  shed, 
O'er  grove,  and  glen,  and  towering  hill, 

Deepening  in  awful  dread, 
Had  not  Almighty  Power, 

With  beams  of  light  Divine, 
Broke  through  the  gloom,  in  Mercy's  hour, 

In  radiance  there  to  shine. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Preface,              ......  5 

Introductory  Remarks,          .             .             .             .  .9 

Biographical  Sketches  : — 

Hercules  Schureman,  .        .  .  .  .16 

Jonathan  Skinner,         .            .             .             .  .19 

Tommy  Warner,      .....  20 

Blind  Sopha,  ....     21 

Amy  Jordan,            .....  22 

Judy  Richards,              .                                        .  .     25 

Abigail  Dobson,       .....  28 

Edward,            .             .             .             .            .  .30 

Phillis  Douglas,        .             .             .             .             .  31 

Betsey  Johnson,            .             .             .             .  .33 

Phebe  Spalding,       .....  35 

Old  Sarah  Henry,          .             .             .             .  .36 

Eliza  Didymus,        .....  37 

Poor  Johnny,     .             .             .             ...  .39 

Catherine  Queen,    ....  40 


CONTENTS. 


Biographical  Sketches  : — 

Katy  Schenck, . 

Margaret  Simpson,  . 

Diana,  . 
Minutes  of  Chaplain, 

Serena  Johnson, 

Diana  Rayner, 

Sarah  Robinson, 

Blind  Diana, 
Incidents,     .  ' 

Sketches  from  Mrs.  R.'s  Report, 

Peter  Bense, 
Concluding  Remarks, 

Condensed  Statement  of  the  Colored  Home, 
Managers'  Names,  &c, 


.      41 

48 
.     48 

50 
.     52 

52 
.     53 

53 
54  to  56 

64 
.     67 

73 

75 
.     77 


PREFACE. 


The  design  of  this  little  book  is  to  make  known  more 
extensively  the  character  of  the  Institution  on  whose  be- 
half these  pages  speak, — to  prove  its  usefulness  in  carry- 
ing out  the  plan  of  benevolence  in  pursuance  of  which  it 
was  originally  established,  and  which,  in  its  operations 
thus  far,  has  fully  proved  its  utility  and  advantages, 
showing  itself  worthy  the  patronage  and  support  of  a 
benevolent  and  Christian  public. 

The  Institution  not  only  provides  protection  and  a 
peaceful  home  for  the  respectable,  worn-out  colored  ser- 
vants of  both  sexes  of  our  city,  by  sheltering  and  sustain- 
ing them  during  the  lingering  days  of  declining  life,  but 
furnishes  them  in  their  last  moments  the  consolations  of 
religion. 


t>  PEEFACE. 

It  also  relieves  the  Arms-House  and  the  community 
of  another  portion  of  colored  persons,  who,  being  sick  or 
diseased,  hopeless  and  helpless,  have  no  means  to  provide 
for  themselves,  and  who  would  necessarily,  otherwise,  be- 
come a  burden  upon  society.  These  latter,  by  an  arrange- 
ment entered  into  with  the  commissioners,  are  received 
into  this  Home  for  a  season,  or  until  they  are  healed  of 
their  sicknesses  and  able  to  resume  employment, — thus 
they  are  rescued  from  much  suffering  and  destitution, 
being  cared  for,  instructed  in  the  right  way,  lifted  up 
from  degradation  and  wretchedness,  and  encouraged  to 
habits  of  industry  and  propriety. 

The  Managers  contemplate,  so  soon  as  their  means 
will  justify  them,  erecting  a  chapel,  or  a  building 
with  chapel  accommodations,  and  school-room,  for  the 
instruction  of  the  inmates  who  choose  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  privilege  of  learning  to  read  and  write. 
They  have  also  accommodation  rooms  for  workshops, 
where  the  inmates  of  the  Home,  not  incapacitated  by  ill- 
ness or  infirmities,  may  be  taught  some  handicraft  which 
may  be  a  source  of  profit  to  them  after  leaving  the  Insti- 
tution, enabling  them  to  support  themselves  by  their 
industry. 


PEEFACE.  7 

We  have  commenced  this  work  in  faith ;  trusting  that 
the  public  will  contribute  to  our  aid  to  enable  us  to  carry- 
out  our  plans  of  operation.  The  enterprise  certainly 
commends  itself  to  the  judgment  and  liberality  of  our 
humane  citizens,  to  whom  we  look  for  encouragement, 
sincerely  trusting  we  shall  not  be  disappointed. 

M.  W.  T. 

New- York,  1851. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 

The  original  cause  of  all  suffering  is  sin.  It  is  this 
that  has  "  brought  death  into  the  world,  with  all  our 
woe."  The  fact  is  established  by  the  experience  of 
every  age. 

To  the  Christian,  the  sufferings  of  this  life,  how- 
ever painful  and  severe,  are  not  worthy  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed.  Hav- 
ing passed  through  all  its  sorrows,  its  toils,  and  its 
deprivations,  he  rejoices  when 

"  The  soft  peace-march  beats 

Home  !  brothers,  Home  !" 

Notwithstanding  the  suffering  which  all  are  call- 
ed to  endure,  while  passing  through  this  vale  of 
tears — some  more,  some  less — it  is  yet  pleasant  to 
1 


10  INTEODUCTOKY  EEMAEKS. 

know,  that  much  of  this  anguish  and  misery  can 
be  alleviated,  soothed,  and  made  more  endurable,  by 
the  exercise  of  sympathy  and  kindness.  For  the 
true  illustration  of  these  Christian  virtues,  and  to 
confirm  us  in  our  devotion,  we  have  a  perfect  pat- 
tern for  our  imitation  in  Christ,  who  bore  our  sins  in 
His  own  body  on  the  tree.  Thus,  having  the  em- 
bodied testimony  of  Him,  whose  earthly  pilgrimage 
was,  that  " Me  went  about  doing  good"  Christians 
are  bound  to  carry  out  the  Divine  intention  be- 
queathed by  Him  whose  mission  was  mercy,  and 
whose  precepts  and  example  are  obligatory  on  all 
who  profess  to  be  His  followers. 

Jesus  left  no  duty  unfulfilled  :  nor  may  His  chil- 
dren leave  undone  the  work  that  He  hath  given  them 
to  do.  They  are  to  imitate  Him  in  all  His  imitable 
perfections ;  not  that  'tis  possible  that  their  devotion 
can  ever  equal  His,  nor  that  they  can  thereby  make 
themselves  meritorious  in  the  sight  of  God  :  nay — 
but  because  He  hath  commanded  us  to  tread  in  His 
foot-prints,  and  taught,  that  "  herein  is  His  Father 
glorified,  that  we  bear  much  fruit,"  is  the  heart  that 
from  love  to  Him  desires  His 'glory,  impelled  to  pray, 
and  toil,  and  struggle,  that  by  its  obedience  Christ 
may  be  glorified,  and  wretched  men  be  blest. 

Christian  sympathy  is  no  dull,  inoperative  prin- 
ciple ;  no  bidding  "  Be  ye  warmed  and  clothed,"  the 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  11 

while  it  shutteth  up  its  bowels  of  compassion ;  it  is 
not  satisfied  with  a  mere  knowledge  of  its  duty; 
but  awakened  at  the  cross,  where  it  is  made  im- 
measurably a  debtor.  As  Jesus  did,  it  seeks  the  poor, 
the  destitute,  the  suffering,  that  it  may  minister  to 
their  necessities  and  sorrows,  and,  if  possible,  as- 
suage their  woes. 

Jesus  sought  the  wretched  and  lost ;  His  mercy 
was  extended  to  all  ranks  and  conditions  of  men ; 
none  were  too  humble  for  His  eye  of  kingly  love — 
none  too  depraved  and  fallen  for  His  compassion. 
His  presence,  though  He  was  the  King  of  kings, 
won  to  His  healing  lip  and  hand  the  sorrow-stricken 
and  the  poor.  The  worst  of  sinners,  despairing  of 
every  other  source  of  relief,  knew  so  well  from  His 
own  lips  His  heavenly  mercy;  that  despite  the  crim- 
son guilt  that  would  have  driven  them  from  His 
spotless  purity,  they  had  no  power  to  resist  the  gen- 
tle kindness  that  drew  them  to  His  feet,  but  came 
and  sought  and  found  forgiveness.  Whoever  came, 
believing  in  Him,  received  the  blessing,  and  none 
were  ever  sent  unblessed  away.  The  sick  and  suf- 
fering were  healed  of  their  maladies  ;  the  suppliant, 
bowed  together  by  the  spirit  of  infirmity — by  a  word 
from  His  merciful  lips  became  loosed,  till  she  stood 
erect  before  Him.  The  captive  He  set  free;  He 
made  the  lame  man  leap  as  an  hart,  and  the  tongue 


12  INTRODUCTORY   REMARKS. 

of  the  dumb  to  sing.  The  accused,  condemned  by 
men,  was  forgiven,  freed  from  condemnation  by  His 
tender  word  of  pity,  "  Neither  do  I  condemn  thee  ; 
go,  and  sin  no  more."  The  blind,  who  heard  of 
His  approach,  lifted  their  piercing  cry  at  His  coming ; 
He  touched  with  His  finger  their  sightless  balls,  and 
forthwith  there  fell  from  their  eyes  as  it  had  been 
scales  ;  and  in  the  breaking  of  the  glory  of  the  light 
of  heaven  on  their  imprisoned  senses,  they  ran,  and 
leaped,  and  followed  Jesus.  The  sorrowing  mo- 
ther, sister,  friend,  mourning  in  bitterness  of  grief 
the  departed,  received  again  to  their  embrace  the 
loved  ones  who  had  been  enshrouded  for,  or  had 
lain  in,  the  grave — "  Maid,  arise  /'*  "  Young  man, 
I  say  unto  thee,  arise  /"  "Lazarus,  come  forth  /"J 
and  the  dead  lived  again  to  manifest  His  praise  and 
glory. 

How  is  this  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ  to  be  developed 
toward  the  wretched  and  impoverished  children  of 
Africa? 

We  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  discuss  the  point, 
that  the  formation  of  the  head  and  brain  make  the 
man  or  woman  what  they  are ;  we  leave  this  for 
the  philosopher  and  man  of  science.  But  we  do 
believe,  that  much  depends  upon  the  arrangement 

*  Luke  viii.  54.  f  Luke  vii.  14.  J  John  xi.  43. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  13 

and  strength  of  the  physical  system ;  its  immediate 
connection  with  circumstances  and  advantages  ;  its 
occupations,  means,  and  disposition  for  improve- 
ment. This  is  evident  amongst  the  white  popula- 
tion which  flock  to  our  shores.  Many  of  them  are 
miserable  outcasts  from  their  own  country,  where 
they  knew  little  else  than  poverty  and  woe ;  and 
who,  seeking  relief  from  the  burdens  that  oppressed 
them,  have  come  to  the  land  of  light,  liberty,  and 
enterprise.  Here,  they  are  taken  by  the  hand, 
treated  as  human  beings,  placed  upon  the  same 
level  with  ourselves,  and  made  fellow-citizens,  and 
cheered  with  the  hope,  not  only  of  rising  to  notice 
and  consideration,  but,  sharing  every  civil  blessing 
we  enjoy,  are,  in  due  time,  even  suffered  to  be  com- 
petitors to  exalted  place  and  honor. 

It  is  this  that  constitutes  us  a  noble  and  mag- 
nanimous nation,  the  result  of  the  principles  of  that 
glorious  Constitution,  that  causes  us  to  stand  out  in 
bright  and  bold  relief  upon  the  list  of  the  nations  of 
the  world — a  free,  generous,  sympathizing,  inde- 
pendent and  happy  people.  None  who  come  to  our 
shores  are  turned  away ;  we  open  our  hearts  and 
bid  them  welcome ;  Ave  open  our  hands  and  relieve 
the  suffering  and  wretched  exile,  and  give  him  a 
home,  and  bestow  upon  him  blessings,  who  never 
knew  till  now  what  blessings  were. 


14  INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 

The  foregoing  remarks  are  not  to  be  considered 
as  irrelevant  to  our  purpose,  nor  do  we  ask  to 
have  the  same  broad  principles  carried  out  toward 
those  for  whom  these  pages  do  especially  plead,  to 
wit,  the  infirm  and  poor  of  our  colored  population. 
The  providence  of  God,  as  also  the  usages  and  order 
of  society,  seems  to  have  placed  these  in  a  different 
sphere  from  those  who  are  made  of  fairer  dust,  and 
who  are  born  and  placed  under  happier  auspices ; 
they  are  of  a  different  caste  ;  but  we  would  speak  of 
them  as  human  beings,  possessing  immortal  spirits, 
sensible  of  their  accountability  to  God ;  we  believe 
them  to  be  endowed  with  minds  capable  of  intellec- 
tual culture,  and  of  giving  g*lory  to  God7  by  a  sin- 
cere and  humble  profession  of  faith  in  Christ ;  and 
by  an  unpretending  and  Christian  deportment. 

Of  their  seeming  inferiority,  incapabilities,  and 
other  humiliating  considerations,  much  might  be 
said  in  vindication  and  defence,  from  the  position  in 
which  they  have  ever  been  held,  since  their  intro- 
duction among  civilized  communities  ;  taught  from 
the  beginning  to  view  themselves  as  constituted 
by  nature  of  an  inferior  order,  subject  to  the  will, 
and  to  labor  for  their  superiors.  This  being  ingrafted 
upon  their  minds  from  the  very  start,  they  come  to 
believe  it  a  truth  to  which  they  are  bound  to  yield 
with  all  submission  ;  and  until  they  are  brought  to 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS.  15 

colonize  themselves  in  a  region  separate  and  distinct 
from  those  who  cannot,  and  will  not  consider  them 
as  equals,  nor  admit  them  to  the  participation  of 
constitutional  privileges  and  rights,  they  must  /or 
ever  remain  in  a  state  of  vassalage,  or  marked  dis- 
tance from  us. 

Time,  and  judicious  legislation  will  eventually 
bring  a  change  ;  when  the  colored  of  our  race  will 
be  elevated  to  their  proper  position  and  standard. 
Liberia  is  a  witness  of  this,  in  the  growing  success 
of  its  efforts,  and  in  the  judicious  management  of 
her  rulers. 

But,  while  time  and  effort  are  working  these 
changes,  much  can  be  done  to  improve  and  advance 
the  moral  culture  and  physicial  condition  of  those 
to  whom  we  allude,  whom  Providence  has  thrown 
upon  our  charities ;  and  who,  from  imperative  cir- 
cumstances, must  remain  in  our  midst.  We  can 
show  them  that  we  care  for  them,  and  for  their  com- 
fort and  welfare,  and  make  them  happier  in  their 
depressed  situation. 

The  following  facts  will  confirm  this  opinion. 

M.  W.  T. 


SKETCHES. 


HERCULES    SCHUREMAN 

Was  one  of  the  earliest  inmates  of  the  Colored 
Home ;  he  was  a  man  of  unusual  size,  about  six 
feet  four  inches — large  muscular  frame,  indicating 
great  physical  strength,  He  was  over  100  years  of 
age  when  he  entered  the  Home,  and  for.  some  time 
after  was  confined  to  his  bed  by  sickness  and  in- 
firmities. Yet  he  was  happy  and  cheerful,  in  find- 
ing, as  he  remarked,  "  such  a  resting-place  as  this, 
for  the  remainder  of  his  pilgrimage."  And  still 
more  happy  did  he  seem  in  the  anticipation  that 
when  his  days  on  earth  should  be  ended,  he  should 
be  permitted  to  glorify  in  heaven  the  Saviour  whom 
he  loved  to  serve. 

In  his  person,  old  Hercules  was  dignified,  and 
his  manner  and  language  such,  as  to  command  re- 
spect and  attention.     He  was  once  a  slave,  but  in 
1* 


18  HERCULES  SCHUREMAN. 

early  life,  by  his  industry  and  good  conduct,  pur- 
chased his  freedom,  became  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  the  Methodist  connection,  and  for  more  than 
fifty  years  he  preached  Christ,  and  proclaimed  to 
his  dying  fellow-men,  the  grace  of  God  which  bring- 
eth  salvation,  and  "  that  liberty  wherewith  Christ 
maketh  his  people  free."  He  was  well  instructed 
in  the  Scriptures  ;  and  although  unskilled  in  human 
learning,  nature  had  endowed  him  with  great  men- 
tal abilities,  combined  with  a  most  retentive  memory, 
which  being  enriched  and  sanctified  by  the  Divine 
Spirit,  made  him  truly  a  remarkable  man. 

"  I  have  never  been  more  impressed  with  the 
fact,"  remarks  Mrs.  A.,  one  of  the  Managers,  "  than 
when,  at  the  social  meetings  at  the  Home,  this  aged 
disciple  of  more  than  a  century  would  pour  forth 
the  desires  of  his  soul  in  a  strain  of  fervent  prayer, 
which  for  strong  figurative  language  I  never  heard 
equalled."  He  died  in  the  faith  in  which  he  had 
lived ;  and,  "  like  a  shock  of  com  fully  ripe"  has, 
we  trust,  been  gathered  into  the  heavenly  garner. 
His  age  was  105. 


JONATHAN  SKINNER.  19 


JONATHAN    SKINNER 

Was  another  disciple  of  Christ  to  whom  it  has  been 
the  privilege  of  this  Institution  to  u  give  a  cup  of 
cold  water."  He  also  was  a  Methodist  minister. 
His  age  87.  He  was  amongst  the  earliest  of  the 
beneficiaries  of  the  Home.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
something  of  his  early  history  was  not  obtained ; 
but  enough  of  his  pious  labors  were  witnessed  to 
rank  him  among  the  most  useful  servants  of  God. 

As  long  as  his  strength  would  permit,  he  went 
from  one  sick  bed  to  another,  praying  for,  and  en- 
couraging the  penitent  to  hope  and  trust  in  Him 
who  sent  His  Gospel  to  the  poor. 

To  none  could  the  language  of  the  poet  be  more 
justly  applied — 

"  Prayer  is  the  Christian's  vital  breath, 
The  Christian's  native  air  ; 
His  watchword  at  the  gate  of  death, 
He  enters  heaven  with  prayer." 


20  TOMMY  WARNER. 


TOMMY    WARNER 

Was  a  native  of  Western  Africa,  and  when  he  had 
nearly  reached  the  period  of  manhood,  was  taken 
from  his  native  land,  and  brought  to  the  West  Indies 
as  a  slave ;  from  thence  he  was  transported  to  the 
South,  where  he  remained  for  many  years,  He  af- 
afterwards  came  to  the  city  of  New- York,  and  pre- 
vious to  his  entering  the  Colored  Home  (1844)  was 
for  sixteen  years  an  inmate  of  the  City  Aims-House. 
He  died  in  January,  1847,  aged  about  one  hundred 
years. 

He  was  a  most  exemplary  person  in  his  general 
character,  exceedingly  amiable  in  disposition,  of  re- 
tiring habits,  having  but  little  intercourse  with  those 
about  him.  The  only  person  to  whom  he  appears 
to  have  formed  any  particular  attachment,  was  "  Old 
Henry,"  who  two  years  was  his  room-mate.  Henry 
died  about  six  months  before  Tommy  ;  after  which 
Thomas  said  but  little,  nor  took  much  notice  of 
passing  events.  When  spoken  to  on  the  subject  of 
Henry's  death,  his  general  remark  was,  "I  think  he 
gone  home  ;  I  think  the  Lord  help  him  up  ;"  at  the 
same  time  making  a  motion  with  both  his  hands  ex- 
pressive of  his  views.     He  wished  to  be  buried  near 


BLIND  SOPHA.  21 

his  friend  Henry,  and  as  a  space  had  been  left  by 
his  side  for  this  purpose,  his  desire  was  gratified. 
It  was  on  the  Sabbath  that  Thomas  was  buried. 
At  12  o'clock,  the  inmates,  male  and  female,  assem- 
bled in  the  hall,  filling  that  large  space  almost  to 
overflowing,  while  a  deep  seriousness  pervaded  the 
assembly.  "  Jerusalem,  my  happy  home  /"  was  se- 
lected by  one  of  the  inmates  as  a  hymn  of  which 
he  was  particularly  fond  :  it  was  sung.  The  fune- 
ral service  was  then  read,  followed  by  appropriate 
remarks.  Thomas  needed  no  eulogy,  for  all  knew 
and  loved  him.  Followed  by  five  of  the  oldest  fe- 
male inmates,  and  all  the  old  men  who  could  walk, 
he  was  conveyed  to  his  final  resting-place,  and  laid 
by  the  side  of  his  friend  Henry.  The  reflection  is  a 
pleasant  one,  that  all  his  wants  on  earth  were  sup- 
plied— all  his  wishes  to  the  utmost  gratified. 


BLIND   SOPHA. 

She  was  brought  from  Africa  when  about  seventeen 
years  of  age.  After  passing  a  long  life  of  accumu- 
lated sufferings,  she  was  eventually  sent  to  our 
alms-house,  where  she  lingered  four  years.     Of  the 


22  AMY   JORDAN. 

name  of  her  master  we  are  uninformed ;  but  she 
often  spoke  with  much  affection  of  him. 

A  more  emaciated  frame  was  seldom  seen ;  hav- 
ing been  previously  accustomed  to  the  best  food,  the 
change  of  diet  in  advanced  age  was  trying  to  her 
system,  and  she  wasted  away  without  apparent  dis- 
ease. Yet  she  never  complained  or  asked  for  any 
thing.  While  at  the  alms-house,  on  receiving  her 
weekly  allowance,  her  broken  thanks  were  mostly 
accompanied  with  tears.* 

One  of  the  committee  giving  her  some  refresh- 
ment before  her  death,  she  placed  her  hand  in  hers. 
Sopha  raised  it  to  her  lips,  kissed  it  many  times,  and 
said,  "  God  bless  you,  Missy.  Sopha  never  eat  more. 
Oh,  God  will  bless  you,  dear  Missy."  Soon  after, 
she  calmly  departed. 


AMY    JORDAN 

Was  a  slave  by  birth,  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia. 
She  twice  worked  for  and  paid  the  amount  required 
for  her  freedom — once  to  her  mistress,  who  died  be- 

*  Previous  to  establishing  "  the  Home,"  the  managers  pro- 
cured accommodations  for  their  pensioners  at  the  Aims-House, 
where  they  were  visited  and  attended  to  by  them. 


AMY  JORDAN.  23 

fore  making  out  her  free  papers,  and  then  again  she 
worked  and  paid  the  same  amount  to  the  children ; 
or,  as  she  termed  it,  "  once  to  her  old  mistress,  and 
once  to  her  young  master."  She  had  one  child,  a 
son,  who  in  his  early  life  was  taken  from  her  and 
sold  into  bondage,  and  carried  into  a  distant  part  of 
the  country,  since  which  time  she  had  never  heard 
of  him.  After  overcoming  a  succession  of  obsta- 
cles, she  at  length  found  herself  in  a  free  city, 
where  she  lived,  supporting  herself  by  honest  in- 
dustry, until  her  health  and  strength  failed ;  she 
then  sought  admission  into  the  Aims-House.  After 
the  purchase  of  the  building  occupied  as  the  "  Co- 
lored Home,"  she  was  one  of  the  first  inmates, 
where  she  continued  in  infirm  health  until  she  en- 
tered into  her  final  rest. 

Amy  was  baptized  by  immersion  at  Norfolk,  Va., 
twenty-two  years  before  her  death.  She  was  an  ex- 
emplary Christian.  Her  views  of  the  Gospel  plan 
were  clear  and  Scriptural.  Her  sickness  was  long 
and  protracted  ;  she  suffered  much  in  consequence, 
yet  she  was  never  heard  to  complain,  or  manifest 
impatience,  though  her  views  of  the  "  better  land " 
were  of  such  a  happy  cast,  that  she  often  longed  to 
be  gone,  looking  to  her  Heavenly  Home  with  in- 
creased delight  as  her  end  drew  near. 

During  her  lingering  days,  she  frequently  spoke 


24  AMY  JORDAN. 

of  her  son,  and  it  awakened  feelings  of  deep  sym- 
pathy to  hear  her  relate  the  circumstances  of  this 
painful  separation,  for  he  was  her  "  only  child  ;"  and 
she  often  spoke  of  him  with  maternal  tenderness ; 
ever  manifesting  under  all  her  trials  a  spirit  of  for- 
giveness to  those  who  had  deprived  her  of  this  joy 
of  her  life,  and  exhibiting  a  temper  and  disposition 
that  would  adorn  human  nature  in  any  situation. 
She  never  spoke  with  bitter  or  revengeful  feelings ; 
but  displayed,  as  far  as  she  was  able,  the  spirit  of 
her  Divine  Master,  by  her  gentleness,  humility,  and 
forgiveness. 

As  death  approached,  and  she  appeared  to  be 
fast  sinking,  her  kind  physician,  Dr.  F.,  urged  her 
to  take  some  medicine.  She  said,  "  Oh  no,  doctor, 
let  me  be  gone,  I  long  to  be  at  Home, — I  will  do  as 
you  say,  but  I  want  to  be  away,  my  blessed  Master 
waits  for  me  ;  oh  precious,  glorious  Master  !"  And 
such  were  her  longings  and  talk,  until  death  closed 
the  scene.  Her  faith  seemed  remarkably  bright, 
and  her  confidence  in  her  Lord's  promises  unwaver- 
ing, sure,  and  steadfast.  "  How  unlike,"  says  Dr.  F.3 
"  the  dying  words  of  the  skeptical,  yet  intellectual 
and  accomplished  Charles  Lamb,  '  I  am  unwilling  to 
leave  this  beautiful  spot  called  earth,  I  am  unwilling 
to  part  from  its  green  fields,  its  refreshing  shades, 
and  verdant  lawns,  for  that  unknown  land  that  men 


JUDY  EICHAEDS.  25 

call  heaven,' "  &c.  What  a  contrast  with  the  faith 
of  this  humble  child  of  Africa ! — Her  last  words 
were  :  "  Christ  is  near  me  ;  I  want  nothing  more." 
Her  age  was  76. 


JUDY   RICHARDS 

Was  another  of  the  most  worthy  pensioners  of  the 
Colored  Home.  She  was  an  inmate  of  but  one 
year,  when  she  was  called  to  take  possession  of  her 
promised  inheritance.  During  the  short  period  she 
was  an  inmate,  she  rendered  herself  an  object  of 
peculiar  interest  to  all  from  the  strength  of  her 
gratitude  and  affection  toward  those  from  whom  she 
received  favors,  as  well  as  from  the  high  attain- 
ments which  she  had  made  in  Christian  knowledge 
and  experience.  She  was  an  enlightened  Christian, 
and  her  whole  walk  was  consistent  with  her  high 
and  holy  calling.  Her  time  was  mostly  spent  in 
reading  the  Scriptures,  or  in  religious  conversation 
with  the  sick  and  dying.  Humility  was  a  pro- 
minent feature  in  her  Christian  character ;  and  many 
who  sought  interviews  with  her,  felt  that  it  was  to 
their  own  edification  in  spiritual  things,  rather  than 
that  of  "  imparting  any  spiritual  gift ;"  and  those  of 


2  b  JUDY  EICHAEDS. 

the  managers  who  were  in  the  habit  of  visiting  her 
for  this  purpose,  will  not  soon  forget  the  affectionate 
cordiality  with  which  she  welcomed  them,  and  the 
fervor  with  which  she  implored  the  Divine  blessing 
to  rest  upon  them.  The  writer  of  the  Sixth  Annual 
Report  says,  "  It  was  always  refreshing  to  enter  into 
religious  conversation  with  her ;  and  gladly  would 
we  have  sat  at  her  feet  to  hear  her  discourse  in  sim- 
ple eloquence  of  the  preciousness  of  her  Jesus,  as 
it  always  pleased  her  to  call  Him."  Toward  the 
latter  period  of  her  life  her  mind  became  somewhat 
harassed  with  doubts  in  reference  to  her  personal 
acceptance  with  Christ ;  and  she  seemed  for  a  time 
to  be  enveloped  in  thick  darkness.  On  one  occasion 
she  said  to  a  young  friend,  "  Can't  you  say  something 
to  comfort  me  ?  Something  about  Christ  ?"  The 
reply  was,  "  Aunt  Judy,  I  feel  as  if  I  ought  to  come 
to  you  for  instruction."  She  said,  "Oh,  but  my 
Jesus  is  not  nigh  me  !  He  is  a  great  way  from  me, 
and  I  want  you  to  help  me  find  Him." 

Her  soul  was  burdened  for  several  weeks,  during 
which  time  she  observed  many  seasons  of  fasting  and 
special  prayer.  She  repeatedly  gave  directions  to 
those  who  prepared  her  food,  to  make  no  provision 
for  her  breakfast ;  nor  was  the  cause  of  her  absti- 
nence known  until  some  time  afterwards.  Thus 
evincing  that  her  fasting  was  not  that  of  "  the  Pha- 


JUDY  RICHARDS.  27 

risee,  who  appears  unto  men  to  fast."  Finding  no 
relief  from  this  occasional  abstinence,  she  at  length 
devoted  three  days  to  special  humbling  of  her  soul 
before  God,  during  which  time  she  took  scarcely 
food  enough  to  sustain  her  animal  frame.  At  last 
the  powers  of  nature  yielded  under  this  excessive 
mortification,  and  the  physician  was  called  in  to  see 
her.  He  rebuked  her  imprudence,  reminding  her 
that  at  her  advanced  age  she  could  not  endure  so 
long  abstinence.  Her  reply  showed  the  power  with 
which  the  adversary  had  plied  his  temptations,  as 
well  as  her  own  determined  resolution  to  resist  to 
the  last.  "  This  kind,"  she  said,  "  goeth  not  out, 
but  by  prayer  and  fasting." 

She  at  length  found  the  peace  she  had  been 
seeking  ;  and  enjoyed  to  the  last  hour  of  her  life  a 
holy  serenity  of  soul  and  an  unfaltering  reliance 
on  her  Saviour.  But  her  aged  frame  had  received 
a  shock  from  which  it  could  not  recover,  and  she 
continued  gradually  to  decline  till  the  second  of 
September,  1845,  when  death  came  as  an  angel  of 
mercy  to  deliver  her  from  her  infirmities.  During 
the  last  week  of  her  life  there  was  a  constant  look- 
ing forward  to  her  joyful  reward.  Often  in  the 
night  her  companions  were  awakened  from  their 
sleep  by  her  exclamations,  such  as,  "  Only  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus  I  wish  to  lie  !     I  feel  to  lay  very  close 


28  ABIGAIL  DOBSON. 

at  his  feet !" — and  by  her  singing  hymns  descrip- 
tive of  the  happiness  of  the  heavenly  state.  Her 
last  words  were,  "  Praise  the  Lord !  I  am  on  my 
journey  home  /"  Aunt  Judy  was  90  years  of  age, 
and  had  been  a  professing  Christian  60  years. 


ABIGAIL    DOBSON 

Was  a  native  of  the  West  Indies.  Came  to  this 
country  in  her  early  years,  and  to  the  city  of  New- 
York,  about  the  year  1806.  She  had  lived  in  the 
family  of  Captain  Conger.  Her  mother,  she  stated, 
was  a  servant  in  the  family.  Abby  was  quite  aged, 
but  cannot  exactly  say  how  old,  but  she  "  remem- 
bered Mr.  Washington's  wars"  In  1812  she  be- 
came afflicted  with  an  inflammation  of  her  eyes, 
which  in  the  following  year  resulted  in  the  total  loss 
of  her  sight ;  and  from  that  time  until  the  day  of  her 
death  she  was  never  able  to  disting  uish  between  the 
light  of  day  and  midnight  darkness.  She  entered 
the  N.  Y.  Aims-House  in  1813,  from  whence  she 
was  transferred  to  the  Colored  Home  in  1844; 
where  she  closed  her  life,  after  much  suffering,  on 
the  3d  of  February,  1847,  leaving  the  clearest  evi- 


ABIGAIL   DOBSON.  29 

dence  that  the  change  was  to  her  one  of  joy  and  not 
of  sorrow.  She  had  been  for  some  time  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Amity  Street  Baptist  Church,  and 
was  exemplary  as  a  Christian,  mild  and  amiable  in 
her  intercourse  with  those  around  her,  patient  un- 
der suffering,  with  a  constant  looking  forward  to  the 
"  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God."  She 
had  no  particular  disease  ;  nature  seemed  gradually 
to  give  way,  and  she  sunk  to  sleep  as  a  little  child. 
The  chaplain,  in  one  of  his  reports,  speaking  of  an 
interview  he  had  with  her,  says  :  "  On  inquiring 
the  state  of  her  mind,  she  expressed  herself  as  happy 
in  the  midst  of  her  afflictions.  Sometimes  distress- 
ing doubts  obscured  her  prospects.  '  But,'  said  I, 
'  you  can  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  can  you 
not  V  '  Yes,'  was  her  answer  ;  '  I  do ;  I  can  say 
with  Job,  "  Though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in 
Him."  The  Saviour  comforts  me,  and  the  hope  of 
being  with  Christ  revives  me,  rejoices  my  soul.'  In 
regard  to  the  probable  result  of  her  sickness  she 
said,  '  I  have  no  will  of  my  own — my  Master's  will 
is  mine.  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  shall  not 
want.'  When  prayer  was  proposed,  she  said,  '  I 
greatly  desire  you  should  pray  for  me  ;  pray  that  I 
may  be  faithful  to  the  end  ;  pray  that  I  may  have 
clearer  evidence  of  my  interest  in  Christ,  and  that  He 
would  strengthen  me  to  do  and  to  suffer  to  the  end.' " 


80  EDWARD. 

To  this  the  physician  adds — "  She  was  uncon- 
scious for  some  hours  before  she  breathed  her  last. 
Her  last  words  to  me  were,  '  I  thank  my  Master,  I 
feel  no  pain.' " 

All  who  approached  her  she  welcomed  with  a 
cheerful  smile.  Devout  and  constant  in  prayer,  she 
bore  in  remembrance  before  her  Father's  throne  all 
she  held  dear  on  earth.  During  the  sickness  of  any 
of  the  Managers,  it  seemed  to  be  her  comfort  contin- 
ually to  commend  them  to  her  covenant-keeping 
God. 


EDWARD 


The  Chaplain  remarks  of  this  young  lad :  "  My 
attention  was  drawn  to  one  sitting  in  the  corner  of 
the  room,  reading  the  Memoir  of  J.  B.  Taylor. 
Near  him  lay  a  Bible  and  a  hymn-book,  which 
gave  rise  to  the  following  conversation  :  '  Well,  Ed- 
ward, what  do  you  think  of  the  Bible  V  '  The  Bi- 
ble? It  is  my  main  guide.'  'And  what  do  you 
think  of  its  author,  Jesus  Christ  V  '  He  is  a  pre- 
cious Saviour !  I  feel  him  to  be  so.'  '  But  he  af- 
flicts you,  does  he  not  V     <  Yes ;  but  no  matter  for 


PHILLIS  DOUGLAS.  81 

that ;  these  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a 
moment,  are  working  for  me  an  exceeding  and  eter- 
nal weight  of  glory.'  'And  how,  Edward,  do  you 
expect  to  get  to  heaven?  and  what  will  you  do 
when  you  get  there  V  '  I  shall  get  to  heaven 
through  Jesus  Christ ;  and  I  shall  there  give  God 
all  the  glory,  and  continually  praise  Him.' " 


PHILLIS    DOUGLAS 

Had  been  a  slave  in-the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and 
at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years  chose  God  as  the 
guide  of  her  youth,  who  she  said  had  not  forsaken 
her  in  her  old  age.  She  was  very  aged  when  she 
came  to  the  Home  ;  was  a  paralytic  and  deprived  of 
the  use  of  her  hands.  Yet  she  manifested  a  great 
desire  to  be  useful.  In  the  days  of  her  youth,  and 
when  in  bondage,  she  used  to  pray  that  she  might 
be  free  and  become  a  missionary.  The  first  part  of 
her  prayer  was  answered  some  years  ago ;  and  her 
second  request  was  answered  when  she  became  a 
beneficiary  of  the  Colored  Home.  Being  able  to 
read,  and  fully  appreciating  the  privilege,  she  deter- 
mined to  impart  her  knowledge  to  the  young  who 


32  PHILLIS  DOUGLAS. 

were  inmates,  and  to  others  of  her  aged  companions 
who  were  disposed  to  learn.  She  took  great  plea- 
sure in  this  employment,  teaching  them  their  cate- 
chism, and  learning  them  to  sing  hymns.  Won- 
derful was  her  success,  and  rich  her  reward  in  this 
labor  of  love.  One  of  the  aged  women,  who  had 
passed  her  threescore  years  without  learning  a  let- 
ter, became  her  pupil,  and  in  the  course  of  a  month, 
with  a  stammering  but  exulting  tongue,  she  read 
the  pages  of  God's  Word.  And  there  is  much  rea- 
son to  believe,  also,  that  the  prayers  and  counsels  of 
Phillis,  accompanied  by  the  power  of  Divine  truth, 
have  resulted  in  salvation  to  this  precious  soul.  It 
may  truly  be  said  of  her,  "  She  has  done  what  she 
could." 

A  few  hours  before  the  death  of  Old  Phillis,  she 
remarked  :  "  I  cannot  tell  how  much  I  have  suffered 
from  head  to  foot,  but  it  is  nothing  compared  with 
the  love  of  God  in  my  soul.  I  would  willingly  suf- 
fer it  all  over  again,  to  enjoy  the  peace  of  God  which 
comforts  me."  She  rejoiced  in  the  prospect  of  the 
rest  in  heaven. 


BETSEY  JOHNSON".  33 


BETSEY   JOHNSON. 

This  remarkable  woman  attained  the  patriarchal 
age  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen  years,  and  although 
her  eye  became  dim  and  her  physical  force  abated, 
yet  the  eye  of  her  soul  gazed  with  increasing  clear- 
ness upon  the  realities  of  the  eternal  world,  and  her 
spiritual  energies  waxed  stronger  and  stronger,  as 
the  number  of  her  days  diminished. 

Although  she  was  unable  to  read,  yet  so  reten- 
tive was  her  memory,  that  she  could  repeat  exten- 
sively from  the  Scriptures  and  from  Dr.  Watts's 
Hymns.  She  appears  to  have  lived  until  she  was 
about  ninety-four  years  old,  before  she  was  brought 
to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  when 
she  illustrated  the  sincerity  of  her  profession  by  a 
consistent  walk  and  conversation.  In  the  midst  of 
all  her  infirmities  and  sufferings,  she  exhibited  to  all 
around  her  indubitable  marks  of  a  Christian  temper ; 
and  when  the  messenger  of  death  approached  (who 
had  long  lost  his  terrors  to  her),  she  called  for  the 
inmates  of  the  Home,  and  with  her  dying  breath 
solemnly  charged  them  to  meet  her  in  Heaven ; 
then  in  the  triumph  of  faith  she  breathed  out  her 
soul  in  the  arms  of  her  Redeemer. 
2 


34  BETSEY  JOHNSON. 

Betsey  was  a  pure  native  of  Africa,  and  in  her 
earliest  life  was  brought  to  one  of  the  West  India 
islands.  From  thence  she  was  taken  to  Virginia, 
about  the  period  she  used  to  call  the  "  Old  War" 
before  the  Revolution.  During  the  War  of  our  In- 
dependence she  remained  in  the  Southern  States, 
frequently  changing  owners.  She  often  spoke  of 
one  of  her  young  mistresses,  whom  she  tenderly 
loved ;  and  probably  from  her  she  learned  the  first 
lessons  of  religious  truth.  She  remembered  well 
most  of  the  incidents  of  the  Revolution,  and  the 
names  of  many  of  the  most  prominent  characters  of 
those  days  were  familiar  to  her.  During  that  period 
she  married  (being  probably  about  thirty-five),  and 
had  several  children. 

Her  piety  was  of  a  most  interesting  character. 
She  seemed  to  feel,  that  all  the  various  trying  cir- 
cumstances through  which  she  had  been  called  to 
pass,  were  intended  for  her  eternal  good.  Her  mind, 
at  times,  appeared  to  rise  above  this  earth,  and  her 
spiritual  contemplations  were  of  a  most  delightful 
character.  She  had  been  for  a  number  of  years  a 
member  of  the  Spring-street  Presbyterian  Church, 
under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Patten, 
and  was  highly  esteemed  for  her  consistency  by  the 
members  of  that  congregation. 


PHEBE   SPALDING.  35 


PHEBE    SPALDING. 

She  was  an  aged  pilgrim.  She  died  suddenly  of 
cholera,  after  three  hours'  illness.  But  although 
suddenly  came  the  messenger,  he  found  her  not  un- 
prepared, nor  unsupported  in  that  period  of  bodily 
agony.  She  called  her  companions  around  her  bed 
to  tell  them  of  her  happiness,  said  her  "  Saviour  was 
near,  and  the  angels  around  to  carry  her  home." 
After  a  paroxysm  of  pain,  she  said :  "  Precious  Sa- 
viour, stand  by  me  !"  and  thus  passed  quietly  away. 

The  evening  before  her  death,  she  came  into  the 
room,  clapping  her  hands,  and  joyfully  exclaiming, 
"Glory!  Glory!"  "What  is  the  matter?"  inquired 
the  physician,  surprised  at  so  much  noise  in  a  time 
of  such  dismay ;  (for  they  were  falling  around  on 
every  side,  the  worst  days  of  the  cholera.)    "  Why," 

she  replied,  "  Thomas  L has  expressed  a  hope  : 

I  think  he  will  only  live  a  few  hours."  Thomas, 
however,  recovered  and  lived  ;  but  before  morning, 
Phebe  had  entered  the  eternal  world. 

She  was  anxious  in  life  to  be  useful,  and  occu- 
pied her  time  in  teaching  her  old  companions  to  read 
the  Scriptures ;  and  her  patience  and  zeal  in  this 


36  OLD   SAEAH   HENEY. 

duty  were  most  interesting.  She  never  expressed 
herself  weary,  but  only  laid  aside  her  book  when 
her  pupils  became  fatigued. 


OLD    SAEAH    HENRY 

Was  born  in  New  Rochelle,  Wescthester  County  ; 
had  lived  in  the  family  of  Mr.  William  Post ;  said 
she  "was  married  on  the  day  that  the  Asia  fired  on 
the  city?  She  was  in  the  Home  several  years,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  90  years.  She  always  received 
the  visits  of  the  managers  with  a  smile  of  welcome : 
"  I  am  always  so  glad  to  see  my  people"  (as  she 
termed  the  ladies  of  the  Institution).  On  one  oc- 
casion of  these  visits,  she  said  :  "  Here  I  am  yet, 
bless  the  Lord  !  waiting  patiently  for  my  precious 
Saviour  to  call  me  home  ;  He  knows  the  best  time, 
I  feel  no  will  of  my  own  ;  I  feel  satisfied  to  lay  here 
upon  my  sick  bed  ;  and  try,  when  I  am  in  pain,  to 
think,  Oh  how  glorious  will  be  that  home,  where 
there  is  no  more  pain — no  suffering — no  sin  ;  I  long 
for  it ;  but  I  am  willing  to  wait  till  my  Saviour  sees 
fit  to  call  me.  Here  there  is  no  rest — no  peace  ;  all 
in  this  world  is  like  a  cobweb,  the  least  wind  breaks 


ELIZA  DIDYMUS.  37 

it,  and  if  any  thing  strikes  against  it,  it  goes  to 
pieces;  so  is  the  peace  of  this  world  broken:  but 
where  my  Saviour  is,  there  is  rest  and  peace."  Thus 
was  this  aged  saint  always  gentle,  submissive,  and 
apparently  contented  and  happy.  She  has  gone  to 
her  heavenly  rest. 


ELIZA    DIDYMUS 

Was,  for  two  years  previous  to  her  decease,  an  in- 
mate of  the  Female  Hospital  of  the  Institution,  with 
consumption.  Her  case  was  in  many  respects 
peculiar,  sometimes  greatly  improving,  so  that  she 
was  able  to  walk  about,  and  then  relapsing  into  a 
delirium,  from  excessive  debility.  She  would  thus 
remain  for  several  days ;  but  her  wanderings  of 
mind  were  all  of  a  pleasant  character ;  she  was 
straying  amidst  delightful  gardens,  or  where  the 
sounds  of  sweet  music  could  be  heard  ;  or  she  was 
among  early  friends,  and  pleasing  associations. 
Ever  thankful  for  favors,  she  remembered  them 
with  the  warmest  gratitude. 

During  the  few  last  months  of  her  life  she  was 
much  exercised  on  religious  subjects,  and,  for  some 


38  ELIZA   DIDYMTJS. 

weeks  before  her  death,  seemed  happy  ;  at  times  joy- 
fully longing  to  be  gone.  To  the  managers  she  was 
strongly  attached,  and  each  week  longed  for  the 
visiting  day,  that  she  might  once  more  see  them, 
and  thank  them  for  all  their  kindness.  Of  one  of 
them,  in  particular,  who  frequently  visited  her,  read 
and  conversed  with  her,  she  was  very  fond.  "  My 
dear  Mrs.  N.,"  she  would  say,  "  I  must  see  her  once 
more,  she  has  been  so  kind  to  me."  One  morning 
she  thought  herself  drawing  near  her  end,  but  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  live  to  see  the  physician  ;  at  11 
o'clock  he  arrived,  and  shortly  after  seeing  her,  find- 
ing her  very  low,  he  told  her  that  she  was  appa- 
rently about  to  depart.  "  And  is  it  so  ?"  she  exclaim- 
ed ;  "  Is  the  time  at  length  arrived  ?"  Joy  beamed 
in  her  countenance  ;  and  she  reached  out  her  hand 
in  farewell  to  all. 

At  her  request  Mr.  B.  engaged  in  religious  exer- 
cise, and  such  was  the  solemnity  of  the  scene  that 
all  were  affected  to  tears.  "  Let  me  meet  you  all 
again,"  she  said  ;  "  Farewell,  farewell,  all  /"  And 
so  departed. 


poor  johnny.  39 


"POOR    JOHNNY," 

As  he  was  familiarly  called,  was  a  little  colored  boy, 
who  came  to  the  Home  in  1846.  He  was  about  13 
years  of  age,  and  had  been  from  his  earliest  life  a 
victim  of  scrofulous  disease.  About  this  period  it 
had  settled  in  his  right  hip-joint,  which  rendered  it 
difficult  for  him  to  walk  even  with  the  help  of 
crutches.  He  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  entire 
household,  and  a  pet  with  all  his  physicians  ;  and 
as  long  as  he  could  walk,  was  in  the  habit  of  coming 
to  the  doctor's  table  to  receive  whatever  had  been  set 
aside  for  his  dinner.  He  was  of  a  meek  and  gentle 
spirit,  and  grateful  for  every  mark  of  attention 
shown  him,  so  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to  do  him 
kindness.  The  last  year  of  his  life  he  was  almost 
entirely  confined  to  his  bed,  and  for  months  his 
body  was  racked  with  pain  too  distressing  for  words 
to  describe  ;  even  the  changing  of  his  clothing  was 
torture  to  his  emaciated  limbs,  which  were  covered 
with  sores  ;  but  he  was  a  pattern  of  patience.  That 
dark  skin  covered  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  en- 
gaging spirits  ever  witnessed.  Not  a  murmur  escaped 
him ;  quiet,  and  bearing  his  afflictions  with  a  sub- 
mission that  astonished  the  beholder  ;  though  young, 


40  CATHAEINE   QUEEN. 

he  seemed  at  this  early  age  to  have  deep  religions 
impressions,  and  to  be  sustained  by  grace,  and  to 
look  forward  with  joyful  prospect  to  death,  as  a  gain 
to  the  child  of  God.  His  love  and  affection  for  all 
around  him  was  extremely  affecting ;  sharing  with 
them  the  little  dainties  that  were  occasionally  brought 
to  him  by  friends.  At  length,  worn  out  by  his  suffer- 
ings— in  the  morning  of  his  life — one  day,  at  early 
dawn,  he  calmly  fell  asleep  without  a  sigh  or  a 
groan.  His  end  was  peace.  His  death,  we  think} 
was  gain. 


CATHARINE    aUEEN. 

We  are  unable  to  give  her  early  history.  But  she 
had  been  some  years  at  the  Home.  Her  age  was 
97.  For  a  long  time  she  was  very  infirm  and  help- 
less. She  died  in  May,  1850.  Some  of  the  mana- 
gers spent  much  time  by  the  side  of  her  bed,  read- 
ing the  Scriptures  and  conversing  with  her.  This 
she  greatly  enjoyed,  and  always  received  it  with 
great  thankfulness.  Catharine  was  of  a  thoughtful 
and  contemplative  turn,  and  always  in  so  happy  a 
state  of  mind,  as  made  it  a  pleasure   to  visit  her 


KATY  SCHENCE.  41 

room.  Her  remarks  were  of  a  character  indicative 
of  deep  humility  and  entire  submission  to  the  will 
of  her  Heavenly  Father  ;  observing,  that  He  knew 
what  was  for  her  good  ;  and  "  although  at  times/' 
said  she,  "  I  suffer  grea-tly  from  pain,  yet  never  more 
than  for  my  good."  Occasionally  she  seemed  impa- 
tient to  be  gone,  yet  again  would  check  herself,  and 
say—"  It  was  not  right ;  it  is  my  duty  to  wait  the 
will  of  God." 

"  Aunt  Q,ueen,"  and  "  Aunt  Katy  Schenck,"  as 
they  were  familiarly  termed,  were  room-mates,  their 
beds  were  contiguous,  and  they  appeared  to  have  a 
kind  regard  for  each  other.  Intimate  friends  in  the 
latter  days  of  their  pilgrimage,  by  death  they  were 
not  long  divided  ;  their  society  was  pleasant,  cheer- 
ful, instructive,  and  shed  a  lustre  on  the  holy  reli- 
gion they  so  humbly  professed, 


KATY    SCHENCK. 

"  I  would  like  to  tell  you  many  things,"  said 
she  one  day  to  one  of  the  reading  committee  (Mrs. 
T.),  "  but  I  will  do  it  some  other  time."  She  was 
requested  to  relate  what  she  had  to  say,  now.  "  Well, 


42  KATY  SCHENCK. 

I  will  give  you  a  little  of  my  history.  I  was  bora 
in  Monmouth,  New  Jersey,  in  the  family  of  Gerrit 
Vandeveer,  where  I  lived  until  I  was  thirty  years  old. 
He  was  a  kind  and  good  master,  gave  me  plenty 
to  eat,  and  treated  me  well ;  our  house  was  within 
three  miles  where  the  great  battle  toas  fought,  and 
I  might  have  seen  it  if  I  had  been  a  mind  to.  I 
was  very  wicked  in  my  early  life,  but  I  was  indus- 
trious and  worked  hard." 

"  When  I  was  about  twelve  years  old,  I  had 
strong  convictions  of  sin,  but  resisted  them,  and 
strove  to  get  rid  of  them  by  carelessness,  and  en- 
deavored to  drive  religion  from  my  thoughts ;  but  I 
could  not,  although  I  gave  myself  to  loose  and 
wicked  company.  After  a  while  my  convictions 
left  me,  and  I  continued  on  in  my  wicked  ways  un- 
til I  was  seventeen  ;  then  the  Lord  took  hold  of  me 
again,  but  I  was  determined  to  resist,  and  I  fought 
against  Him  with  all  my  might ;  and  how  long  do 
you  think  I  fought  against  the  Lord  ;"  said  she, 
looking  earnestly  in  my  face.  "  why,  till  I  was 
tiventy-eight  years  old ;"  and  even  then  the  devil 
seemed  determined  that  I  should  serve  him,  and  not 
the  Lord.  But  I  worked  on  in  my  duties,  and 
tried  to  serve  God  with  all  my  might.  Oh  how  my 
mind  did  strive,  I  cannot  tell  you,  but  it  is  fresh  in 
my  memory." 


KATY  SCHEKCK.  43 

"  One  day,  when  my  mind  was  thus  dreadfully 
distressed,  I  was  going  a  milking,  but  I  felt  so 
wretched,  I  did  not  know  what  to  do  ;  it  seemed  that 
hell  was  ready  to  receive  me — it  was  evening — I 
fell  upon  my  knees — I  prayed,  Lord,  have  mercy 
upon  me  and  help  me  !  All  at  once,  I  looked  up, 
and  I  thought  I  saw  heaven  open,  and  it  appeared 
to  me  the  Lord  was  stooping  down  and  lifted  me 
up  ;  and  these  words  came  to  me :  '  Thy  people 
shall  be  willing,  in  the  day  of  Thy  power?  I  stood 
still — I  felt  such  a  change  !  I  hardly  knew  what 
I  was  doing — I  could  not  milk,  I  could  do  nothing 
but  rejoice — I  shouted  aloud,  and  ran  home,  telling 
all  my  folks  how  happy  I  was.  They  did  not 
know  what  to  think  ;  they  asked  me  if  I  was  crazy. 
I  went  to  bed,  but  I  could  not  sleep  for  my  happi- 
ness. I  felt  now  that  the  Lord  had  fast  hold  of  me, 
and  I  was  safe.  I  was  now  willing  and  desirous 
to  serve  God,  and  I  went  on  my  way  rejoicing." 

"  Thus  in  this  graphic  language  did  this  old 
Christian  woman  describe  the  struggles  connected 
with  her  conversion.  And  I  could  have  ling  tad 
to  have  heard  more  of  her  subsequent  history,  but 
my  duties  directed  me  onward. 

"Not  long  after  the  above,  I  again,"  continues 
Mrs.  T.,  "visited  this  old  servant;  she  was  sick 
and  in  bed.    I  found  her  very  feeble,  and  remarked, 


44  KATY   SCHENCK. 

I  had  come  to  read  to  her,  if  she  was  able,  and 
would  like  to  hear  me.  She  replied,  she  '  would  be 
very  glad  to  hear  me.' 

"  I  read  one  of  Binder's  sermons  to  the  aged,  en- 
titled, '  Peace  in  Death.''  During  my  reading, 
she  frequently  interrupted  me  with  remarks  both 
forcible  and  strong.  After  I  had  concluded  read- 
ing, I  said,  '  You  are  very  sick,  and  very  old.  We 
are  all  liable  to  sickness,  and  it  is  appointed  that  we 
all  must  die  !  The  young  sometimes  depart  in 
early  life  ;  but  aged  persons  cannot  expect  to  live 
much  longer,  but  it  matters  not,  so  long  as  they  die 
peaceful  and  happy ;  and  now  I  have  been  reading 
to  you  about  a  good  old  man,  of  whom  you  have 
doubtless  often  read  in  the  Bible,  good  old  Simeon. 
You  remember  his  history,  do  you  not  ?'  She  quick- 
ly replied,  '  What  ?  old  Simeon  and  Anna  1  Yes? 
indeed  !'  and  raising  herself  upon  her  bed,  she  com- 
menced such  a  strain  of  eloquence  as  completely 
astonished  me.  I  was  silent,  and  waited  to  listen  to 
her ;  I  had  gone  to  be  her  instructor  and  consoler  J 
but  she  was  my  teacher,  and  I  felt  I  could  linger  at 
her  side,  for  it  was  good  to  be  there.  She  had 
raised  herself  upon  her  bed — '  Simeon,'  said  she, 
'  was  a  good  man,  he  was  waiting  for  the  salva- 
tion of  God,  and  when  he  took  the  blessed  Jesus  in 
his  arms,  he  was  convinced  that  it  was  the  Saviour 


KATY  SCHENCK.  45 

he  held  there,  and  he  said,  "  Now  lettest  thou  thy 
servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy 
salvation."  Now  I  feel  just  as  Simeon  did  ;  I  am 
ready  to  depart  when  God  shall  see  fit.  I  am  a 
poor,  helpless  sinner,  I  can  do  nothing— indeed 
there  is  nothing  for  me  to  do,  for  my  Saviour  has 
done  all ;  and  I  am  just  waiting  for  Him  to  call  me 
home.  I  lay  here  upon  my  bed,  and  I  think,  and 
think ;  I  don't  say  nothing,  but  I  feel  as  Mary 
did — I  don't  tell  all  I  feel,  but  I  keep  it  in  my  heart  3 
I  am  an  ignorant  woman,  and  cannot  express  my- 
self very  well ;  but  I  trust  I  have  been  taught  in  the 
school  of  Christ,  and  have  learned  of  Him.  I  used 
to  go  to  Sunday  school ;  I  learned  much  there,  and 
I  bless  God  I  ever  went-' 

"  I  was  fearful  she  would  fatigue  herself,  and  re- 
minded her  of  her  weakness  ;  she  replied,  '  I  would 
like  to  tell  you  many  things,'  and  proceeded :  '  Well, 
I  would  say  that  the  Lord  has  taught  me  many 
things,  and  I  have  tried  to  teach  others ;  I  may  say 
(and  I  would  speak  it  without  pride),  I  have  preach- 
ed the  Gospel,  that  is,  I  have  tried  to  speak  for  God, 
when  I  had  a  good  chance.  I  must  tell  you  a  little 
story :  I  was  at  one  time  travelling  in  a  vessel  on 
the  Ohio  river  ;  I  had  said  something  to  some  one 
about  religion;  the  captain  of  the  boat  and  his 
wife  began  to  ridicule  and  abuse  me ;  there  were 


46  KATY   SCHENCK. 

also  several  young  men  on  board  who  were  going  to 
some  college,  and  they  likewise  joined  with  the 
captain  and  his  wife,  and  tried  to  make  sport  of  me, 
taunting  me  for  my  complexion,  making  many  foolish 
speeches,  such  as  they  thought  would  hurt  my 
feelings.  I  said  nothing  for  a  while,  but  waited 
until  they  had  ceased ;  then  I  turned  to  them  and 
said,  '  Gentlemen,  have  you  got  through  with  your 
speeches  ?'  They  replied, '  Yes.'  '  Well,'  I  said,  '  now 
it  is  my  turn.'  '  Go  on,'  said  they.  '  Well,  you  are  on 
your  way  to  College,  aint  you  ?'  '  Yes.'  '  Well,  you 
need  schooling,  but  you'll  never  complete  your  edu- 
cation till  you  get  it  in  the  school  of  Christ ;  and, 
if  you  don't  get  it  there,  and  die  in  your  sins,  you 
will  'perish  for  ever  !  You  have  tried  to  make  sport 
of  me,  and  you-  think  you  are  fine  gentlemen, 
but  I  tell  you,  you  aint  hurt  my  feelings ;  I  feel 
sorry  for  you,  because  I  think  you  don't  know  any 
thing  you  ought  to  know,  and  are  not  "  wise  unto 
salvation."  '  I  talked  on,'  said  she,  '  and  when  I 
was  done,  a  young  Englishman  turned  to  me  and 
said,  '  Mother,  where  did  you  get  your  learning, 
and  who  told  you  all  these  things  1  did  you  get 
it  from  the  priest  V  I  said  '  No !  I  learned  it  in 
the  school  of  Christ,  and  from  His  blessed  word 
the  Bible  ;  and  I  tell  you,  if  you  don't  go  to 
that   school,  but  die  in  your  sins  and  ignorance. 


KATY  SCHENCK.  47 

you  will  never  get  to  heaven.  Whether  what  I 
said  did  them  any  good,  or  made  an  impression  on 
them,  I  don't  know,  but  they  teased  me  no  more, 
and  on  the  rest  of  the  way  were  very  civil  and 
polite ;  I  thought  they  seemed  to  have  felt  what  I 
said,  and  I  prayed  God  they  might.' " 

This  old  disciple  was  a  lively  Bible  Christian, 
and  generally  speaking,  was  of  a  good  and  cheerful 
temper.  In  conversing  of  the  new  Home  then  being 
built,  to  one  of  the  Managers,  she  remarked,  "  it 
will  be  very  nice,  but  it  must  not  make  us  forget 
the  home  in  the  heavens,  the  building  not  made 
with  hands,  built  upon  a  sure  foundation ;  for 
this  new  Home  we  are  to  have  built  for  us  here, 
must  finally  crumble  and  fall  to  the  ground ;  but 
that  in  the  heavens  will  last  as  long  as  God  him- 
self." So  rich  was  her  experience, — so  interest- 
ing her  conversation  ;  something  so  attractive  about 
her,  so  cheerful,  and  she  had  so  many  pleasant 
things  to  say,  all  savoring  of  Christian  piety,  of 
God's  goodness  and  mercy  to  sinners,  His  condescen- 
sion and  kindness,  especially  towards  herself;  that 
it  was  pleasant  to  linger  by  her  side. 


DIANA. 


MARGARET   SIMPSON 

Was  born  in  North  Hampton,  eastern  shore  of  Mary- 
land ;  came  to  New- York  in  her  childhood,  and 
lived  in  the  family  of  the  widow  Townsend  many 
years  ;  says  she  has  worked  hard  all  her  life,  and 
has  fairly  worn  out  in  service.  She  came  to  the 
Home  in  1844.  And  although  very  feeble,  tried  to 
do  what  she  could  to  make  herself  useful,  by  assist- 
ing in  some  of  the  household  affairs.  She  was 
"  thankful  that  she  had  so  good  a  home  in  her  last 
days." 


DIANA 


PROM    MRS.    T.  S    REPORT. 


In  one  of  the  wards  of  the  Hospital,  where  I  had 
gone  to  read  and  converse  with  the  sick,  lay  Diana^ 
(a  young  woman,)  very  low — scarcely  able  to  give 
utterance  to  her  words.  Her  mind  was  dark  and 
ignorant;  she  "knew  her  heart  was  unchanged" 
(I  use  her  own  words),  "  but  believed  that  Christ 
was  able   to  save  her,  and   hoped  he  would."      I 


DIANA.  49 

read  to  her  the  51st  Psalm,  and  a  suitable  tract. 
She  listened  attentively,  and  I  saw  the  tears  fill  her 
eyes.  On  my  leaving  her,  she  thanked  me  for  the 
interest  I  felt  for  her.  Alas  !  what  Christian  can 
visit  such  scenes — witness  the  darkness  of  ignor- 
ance, and  hear  the  simple,  earnest  expressions  of 
hope,  coming  from  untaught  lips,  and  not  feel  a  deep 
interest  in  the  objects  which  excite  it ;  and  strive 
faithfully  to  discharge  a  Christian's  duty  to  the  help- 
less and  ignorant  around  him  1 

In  the  same  room  was  Catharine  ,  also 

a  young  woman  of  pleasing  countenance.  She 
greeted  me  with  a  smile.  On  my  addressing 
some  words  to  her,  she  replied,  "  I  am  very  weak 
and  feeble  ;  I  do  not  expect  to  get  well — indeed,  I 
have  no  wish  to  stay  in  this  world  ;  I  am  still 
young,  but  I  have  seen  enough  to  know  that  it  is  a 
world  of  sin  and  trial ;  and  if  it  should  please  my 
Heavenly  Father  to  take  me  away  from  it,  why  I 
am  willing  to  go ;  yet  I  would  be  patient  and  wait 
His  time.  I  thank  Him  that  I  was  ever  brought  to 
this  place,  it  is  a  good  Home,  and  I  have  a  great 
many  mercies  and  comforts  ;  I  can  read,  and  I  take 
great  satisfaction  in  reading  the  Bible  and  other 
good  books ;  I  bless  God  I  ever  came  here." 

"  I  have  always  derived,"  remarks  Mrs.  T.,  in  her 
Report,  "  great  satisfaction  from  visiting  this  young 


50  MINUTES   OF  THE   CHAPLAIN. 

person  ;  she  is  so  mild,  humble,  pleasant  and  cheerful 
amid  her  pains,  and  unmurmuring  under  her  afflic- 
tions." She  rests  now  from  all  these  :  and  we  trust, 
"  sleeps  in  Jesus." 


FROM  THE  MINUTES  OF  THE  CHAPLAIN. 

The  Chaplain  remarks — "  Among  those  of  the  bene- 
ficiaries was  Phebe  Green  ;  she  has  recently  been 
called  to  her  heavenly  home.  Her  exemplary  de- 
portment for  a  long  time  gave  satisfactory  evidence 
that  her  name  had  been  written  in  the  book  of  life. 

"  In  her  last  moments  she  was  not  alone,  for  the 
Saviour  on  whom  she  relied  was  with  her,  and  the 
arms  of  everlasting  love  carried  her  safely  through 
the  trying  conflict.  She  died  with  the  name  of 
Jesus  on  her  lips,  exclaiming,  '  Come,  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quickly.''  The  27th  Psalm,  which  was  read 
to  her,  seemed  to  afford  her  sweet  and  refreshing 
views  of  the  Redeemer,  in  whom  she  reposed  her 
confidence,  and  through  whose  merits  alone  she 
hoped  for  salvation." 

"  As  I  approached  the  couch  of  a  dying  youth, 
calling  me  by  name,  he  earnestly  requested  that 
prayer  might  be    offered  in  his  behalf,  remarking 


MINUTES   OF  THE   CHAPLAIN".  51 

that  his  '  time  was  short.'  Prayer  was  offered,  and 
his  immortal  spirit  commended  to  Him  who  hears 
the  feeblest  breathings  of  the  penitent ;  and  who 
can  save  even  at  the  eleventh  hour  those  who  con- 
fide in  the  merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  died  in 
about  two  hours  after." 

(:  Another  individual,  Carter, — who  was  far  ad- 
vanced in  life,  and  while  in  health  was  a  constant 
attendant  on  the  public  service  of  God  ;  her  seat 
was  seldom  vacant,  and  her  whole  soul  seemed  ab- 
sorbed in  the  truths  which  were  uttered.  Previous  to 
her  last  illness,  she  would  occasionally  repair  to  the 
room  of  a  pious  female  for  the  purpose  of  religious 
conversation,  and  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures.  When  assailed  by  the  disease 
which  closed  her  earthly  pilgrimage,  her  mind  was 
peaceful,  and  her  heart  filled  with  universal  love. 
On  the  day  preceding  her  disolution,  she  exclaimed 
with  emphasis,  <  Oh,  I  want  to  go  to  Heaven  /'  On 
being  asked  why  she  wished  for  heaven  ?  she  re- 
plied, '  Because  God  is  there.'  She  was  habitually 
prayerful,  and  her  consistent  Christian  deportment 
has  furnished  ample  testimony  to  those  who  knew 
her  best,  that  she  was  truly  a  ransomed  soul,  and, 
we  trust,  has  reached  that  world  of  purity,  where 
sin  and  suffering  are  unknown." 


52  DIANA  RAYNER. 


SERENA     JOHNSON 

Had  long  been  confined  to  her  room  oy  infirmity 
and  disease.  On  inquiring  of  her  what  was  the 
present  state  of  her  mind,  she  replied,  -  /  am  still  at 
the  feet  of  Jesus,  every  day  begging  for  mercy  ;  I 
think  I  shall  be  ready,  through  Jesus  Christ,  when 
death  comes  ;  I  lean  on  Him,  I  depend  on  Him,  I 
can  do  nothing  without  Him.  I  hope  He  will  keep 
me  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand,  and  close  by  His 
bleeding  side.  The  prayers  of  God's  people  lift 
me  up — make  my  heart  warm."  "  She  loves  the 
society  and  conversation  of  Christians,  and  feels 
neglected,  if  in  her  solitude  a  few  moments  are 
not  spent  with  her  in  prayer.  Such  was  the 
simple  testimony  which  this  poor  and  ignorant 
colored  woman  gave  of  the  power  of  religion  on  her 
own  heart." 


DIANA    RAYNER. 

"  I  well  remember  her  as  my  guide  in  months  past 
to  the  various  apartments  of  the  sick,  infirm,  and 


BLIND  DIAKA.  53 

anxious.  She  always  evinced  that  sympathy  and 
love  for  others  which  characterized  Christian  bene- 
volence. We  trust  she  sleeps  in  Jesus — and  will 
hereafter  awake  in  His  likeness." 


SARAH    ROBINSON. 

As  she  gradually  declined  in  health,  no  cloud  seem- 
ed to  obstruct  her  spiritual  vision.  She  patiently 
and  submissively  waited  for  her  release  from  sin 
and  suffering,  and  appeared  to  have  a  foretaste  of 
heaven  in  her  soul. 


BLIND     DIANA. 

"On  approaching  the  bed  of  Blind  Diana,  she 
immediately  recognized  my  voice,  greeted  me  cor- 
dially, and  spoke  of  the  inward  peace  she  experi- 
enced, and  the  implicit  confidence  she  felt  in  the 
Saviour ;  '  His  will,'  said  she,  '  is  my  will,  and  I  am 
still  waiting  for  Him.'  This  poor  blind  one  seems 
to  take  hold  on  Christ  by  intelligent  faith  and  hope, 


54  INCIDENTS. 

and  the  consciousness  that  He  is  her  friend,  seems  to 
mitigate  her  sufferings,  and  enable  her  joyfully  to 
anticipate  the  change  which  is  approaching.  Such 
examples  of  patient,  Christian  submission,  are  cheer- 
ing to  the  pious  heart,  and  eminently  worthy  of  imi- 
tation. 

"  Few  of  the  pensioners  interest  me  more  than 
Blind  Diana ;  never  have  I  seen  any  thing  like 
impatience  or  dissatisfaction  with  the  dispensations 
of  Divine  Providence  towards  her;  on  the  contra- 
ry, sweet  submission  to  trTe  Divine  will  marks 
her  whole  deportment.  '  Do  not  the  days  seem 
long,'  said  I,  'as  you  can  neither  read  nor  work?' 
'  Oh  no  !'  was  her  prompt  reply,  'for  though  blind, 
I  can  think  of  my  precious  Saviour,  and  con- 
verse with  Him.  I  have  in  Him  something  to  lean 
upon,  and  no  one  knows  how  much  comfort  I  have 
in  my  Saviour.  Tt  is  all  well,  whatever  He  is  pleased 
to  lay  upon  me — /  shall  be  at  home  by  and  by  /' 
Such  is  the  uniform  state  of  her  mind  ;  calm,  peace- 
ful, '  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of 
her  faith.'  She  now,  we  trust,  beholds  with  un- 
sealed eyes,  and  unobstructed  vision,  the  refulgent 
glory  of  heaven." 

"  In  the  Female  Department  I  was  addressed  by 
one  who  lay  sick  and  low.  She  greeted  me  cor- 
dially.     I   had  scarcely  commenced  conversation, 


INCIDENTS.  55 

when  the  tears  started  in  her  eyes,  and  she  exclaim- 
ed:'  I  feel  that  I  am  a  poor  sinner,  but  God  is  kind 
and  good  to  me  in  my  afflictions,  and  I  can  trust  in 
Him.' 

"  Every  successive  month  affords  encouragement 
to  believe  that  the  Divine  Spirit  is  graciously  operat- 
ing on  some  of  the  objects  of  this  Christian  charity. 
Our  religious  services  are  marked  by  seriousness 
and  devout  attention,  and  by  many  we  are  cordially 
greeted  as  messengers  of  good  tidings  to  the  poor 
and  the  perishing. 

"  I  have  repeatedly  conversed  and  prayed  with 
those  who  are  confined  by  sickness  and  infirmity  to 
their  rooms,  and  listened  with  much  pleasure,  as 
they  testified  from  their  own  experience  to  the 
faithfulness  and  love  of  their  Redeemer,  and  wit- 
nessed their  sweet  submission  to  the  Divine  will. 

"  A  beautiful  and  affecting  illustration  of  the  pow- 
er and  influence  of  Evangelical  faith  was  recently 
presented,  in  the  case  of  one  far  advanced  in  life, 
and  an  invalid.  It  appears,  that  at  a  very  early 
age  religious" impressions  were  made  on  her  mind 
by  a  relative  of  her  mistress,  who  sang  the  Ten 
Commandments  in  verse,  and  who  told  her  that 
'He  who  gave  us  those  Commandments  would  be 
her  friend,  if  she  would  trust  in  Him.'  This  sim- 
ple truth  was  received  into  a  good  and  honest  heart ; 


56  INCIDENTS. 

she  believed,  and  it  was  counted  to  her  for  righteous- 
ness. 'I  have  always,  since  that  time,'  said  she, 
'trusted  in  Him,  and  I  will  still  trust.'  She  re- 
quested prayer,  '  that  God  would  do  with  her  just 
as  He  pleased;'  she  was  'willing  jto  suffer  all  He 
could  lay  upon  her.'  Her  simple  and  unaffected 
manner,  accompanied  with  tears  of  gratitude  for 
what  God  had  done  for  her,  was  most  affecting,  and 
well  calculated  to  magnify  the  grace  of  God,  as  ex- 
hibited in  one  more  than  fourscore  years  of  age,  and 
near  her  Heavenly  Home. 

"Another  aged  woman  always  greets  me  cordially 
and  with  childlike  simplicity ;  speaks  feelingly  of 
her  dependence  on  God,  and  of  the  preciousness  of 
the  Saviour  to  her  soul,  and  is  never  willing  to  have 
me  leave  her  without  offering  prayer.  She  thinks 
much  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  appears  to  rest  her  hope 
of  salvation  confidently  on  His  merits  alone. 

"  Passing  by  another  of  these  aged  and  afflicted 
servants  of  God,  who  for  successive  months  has 
been  an  invalid  and  confined  to  her  bed  and  room, 
she  said  :  '  Jesus  is  near  and  precious !  If  the 
whole  of  New- York  were  offered  me  for  Christ,  I 
would  not  accept  it :  His  will  is  my  will ;  if  He  af- 
flicts, it  is  all  right? 

"  One,  sick  and  blind,  on  recognizing  my  voice, 
extended  her  emaciated  hand  to  welcome  me- 


INCIDENTS.  57 

"  Here  was  presented  an  impressive  instance  of 
patient  submission,  which  might  have  shamed  many 
of  the  professed  followers  of  the  Saviour.  She  is 
cheerfully  anticipating  the  change  which  must  ere 
long  take  place.  Death  to  her  seems  divested  of  his 
terrors,  as  she  reclines  sweetly  on  the  arm  of  Infinite 
Benevolence.  She  is  indeed  'a  living  epistle,  known 
and  read  of  all ;'  and  her  Christian  example  com- 
mands the  respect  and  admiration  of  even  the  im- 
penitent around  her. 

"Another  case  has  interested  me  much.  She,  too, 
is  one  of  God's  afflicted  people,  but  happy  in  the 
consciousness  that  her  peace  is  made  with  God. 
She  longs  to  be  gone,  but  is  submissive  to  the  will 
of  Heaven.  '  Glorious  prospects /'  she  says,  'are 
opening  to  my  view ;  and  why  one  so  poor,  igno- 
rant, useless,  and  unworthy,  should  be  continued,  is 
incomprehensible.'  I  endeavored  to  explain  the 
mystery,  that  perhaps  it  was  that  she  might  show  to 
those  around  her  the  efficacy  of  the  blessedness  of 
that  religion  which  gives  peace  and  consolation 
amidst  the  sharpest  trials.  This  seemed  a  new  idea, 
and  one  that  afforded  pleasant  reflection  ;  and  she  re- 
iterated the  sentiment,  '■All  the  days  of  my  appoint- 
ed time  will  I  wait  till  my  change  come? 

"  My  attention  was  called  by  a  colored  man,  who 
conducted  me  to  the  sick-bed  of  one  in  the  male  de- 
3 


5b  INCIDENTS. 

partment.  He  was  very  ill,  though  able  to  converse  ; 
and  seemed  deeply  concerned  for  his  soul.  It  ap- 
peared, from  his  own  voluntary  confession,  that  he 
had  been  notorious  for  his  impiety.  Profane,  ran- 
corous in  his  opposition  to  religion  and  the  friends  of 
religion,  he  had  carefully  sought  to  shun  their  influ- 
ence, and  to  close  his  ear  against  the  truth.  It  was 
apparent  that  the  Holy  Spirit  was  striving  with  him, 
for  he  hesitated  not  to  express  his  penitence  for  sin, 
and  requested  me  to  pray  for  him. 

"  On  a  subsequent  visit,  I  found  him  more  com- 
posed ;  and  light  seemed  breaking  into  his  benighted 
mind.  Alluding  to  his  former  antipathy  to  Chris- 
tians, he  said  he  now  felt  very  different ;  he  loved 
to  have  them  near  him,  and  to  hear  their  conversa- 
tion and  prayers.  He  felt  he  could  give  himself  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  believed  that,  though  a 
great  sinner,  God  could  forgive  him  for  Christ's  sake. 
When  asked  what  I  should  pray  for,  he  said,  '  That 
my  associates  may  seek  their  salvation  and  come  to 
Jesus  Christ.'  This  unexpected  and  ingenuous 
concern  for  others  seemed  to  furnish  some  cheering 
evidence  that,  'though  he  was  once  blind,  he  now 
saw.'  A  short  time  before  his  death,  he  said  to  one 
who  had  formerly  in  vain  attempted  to  converse 
with  him  in  reference  to  his  soul,  '  The  time  was 
when  I  hated  vou  and  your  religious' conversation, 


INCIDENTS.  59 

but  now  I  love  you  as  a  Christian.'  His  end  was 
full  of  comfort  and  hope,  and  we  feel  encouraged  to 
believe  he  was  indeed  '  a  brand  plucked  out  of  the 
fire?" 

"  After  one  of  our  religious  services,  an  aged  in- 
valid approached  me  with  tears.  On  asking  the 
cause  of  her  solicitude,  she  replied,  that  'though 
a  professor  of  religion,  she  had  been  neglectful  of 
prayer,  and  other  Christian  duties,  and  consequently 
had  lost  that  sweet  sense  of  forgiveness  she  once 
enjoyed.'  I  endeavored  to  impress  her  mind  with 
the  sinfulness  and  ingratitude  of  neglecting  her 
soul ;  and  urged  her  to  look  to  Him  who  invites  the 
wanderer  to  return  and  obtain  forgiveness." 

"  On  one  occasion  I  was  much  interested  by  the 
conversation  of  two  individuals,  who  had  been  un- 
avoidably prevented  from  attending  service.  One 
of  them  remarked,  with  an  expression  of  counte- 
nance and  an  emphasis  which  indicated  truth  and 
honesty — '  Though  not  always  with  you,  I  can 
and  do  pray  for  you.'  In  another  apartment,  one 
remarked,  that  before  he  came  to  the  Home,  '  he 
knew  not  that  he  had  an  immortal  soul,  but  sup- 
posed that  at  death  he  should  be  like  the  beasts 
that  perish,  but  since  he  had  heard  the  Gospel,  his 
views  had  been  entirely  changed.'      He  now  con- 


60  INCIDENTS. 

verses  intelligently  in  regard  to  the  plan  of  salva- 
tion." 

"A  poor  inmate  severely  afflicted  with  cancer  has 
recently  deceased.  Her  coffined  remains  were  con- 
veyed to  the  chapel  on  the  Lord's  Day,  and  from 
thence  by  her  relations  to  the  place  of  interment. 
She  continued  to  the  last  hour  of  her  life  steadfast 
in  the  faith  of  the  Gospel,  and  has  left  to  surviving 
friends  the  cheering  hope,  that  her  end  was  peace. 
This  event  furnished  an  opportunity  to  speak  to  the 
assembled  inmates  of  the  necessity  and  importance 
of  habitual  preparation  for  death  and  judgment, 
which  we  endeavored  to  improve." 

"  On  inquiring  of  a  sick  man  with  whom  I  had 
been  conversing,  if  he  desired  prayer  should  be 
offered  in  his  behalf;  with  tears  starting  in  his  eyes 
he  emphatically  exclaimed,  '  Oh  yes  !  I  want  faith 
to  throw  myself  right  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' " 

"  Another,  who  was  a  poor  victim  of  consump- 
tion, expressed  himself  as  being  happy  in  the  pros- 
pect of  death,  and  desired  that  prayer  should  be 
offered,  '  that  he  might  get  safe  home?  " 

"  In  the  male  department  is  a  man  about  30 
years  old.  About  one  month  since  he  was  led  to  see 
himself  as  lost  and  ruined  by  sin,  and  to  look  to 
Christ  as  his  only  refuge.  He  seems  like  one  new- 
born into  the  kingdom  of  grace,  and  to  have  adopted 


INCIDENTS.  61 

the  resolution  of  Joshua — <  As  for  me,  I  will  serve 
the  Lord.'  " 

"A  female,  whose  attention  has  recently  been 
arrested,  voluntarily  came  to  me,  to  tell  me  what 
God  had  done  for  her  soul.  She  also  appears  hum- 
ble, penitent,  and  much  impressed  with  the  love  of 
Christ  in  dying  for  sinners.  Speaking  of  her  in- 
terest in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  unconverted,  she 
remarked,  'she  now  loved  them  better  than  ever, 
and  prayed  that  God  would  open  their  eyes  to  see 
their  lost  condition.'  Her  simple  and  unaffected 
manner,  and  her  deep  feeling,  carried  conviction  to 
the  mind  that  the  blessed  Spirit  had  indeed  begun 
a  good  work  which  He  would  carry  onward  to  ma- 
turity. 

"Two  aged  women  have  also  expressed  deep 
concern  for  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  appear  to 
feel  that  they  have  too  long  neglected  salvation, 
and  that  it  is  high  time  to  give  the  subject  immedi- 
ate attention." 

"  At  the  close  of  one  of  our  religious  services, 
I  was  informed  that  an  aged  inmate,  very  ill,  was 
desirous  to  see  me.  She  was  87  years  of  age,  and 
for  70  of  that  number  had  professed  religion.  As  I 
approached  her  bedside,  extending  her  withered 
had,  she  exclaimed,  '  Oh,  I  am  happy !  I  am 
ready  to  go  to  my  heavenly  home   at  any   time ; 


62  INCIDENTS. 

the  Saviour  is  'precious ;  I  would  not  give  up  the 
hope  1  have  of  an  interest  in  Him  for  millions  'of 
worlds !  I  have  always  found  Him  faithful  to  His 
word  ;  but  when  I  get  yonder '  (raising  her  eyes  to- 
wards heaven),  '  that  will  be  best  of  all.'  This  old 
person  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  regular  at- 
tendants upon  religious  worship,  and  her  exemplary 
deportment  has  uniformly  evinced  the  sincerity  of 
her  profession  and  her  ripeness  for  heaven." 

"A  few  days  since,  I  was  requested  to  visit  one 
in  the  hospital,  on  whom  a  surgical  operation  was 
about  to  be  performed.  Seating  myself  by  his  bedside. 
I  had  scarcely  commenced  conversing  with  him, 
when  I  discovered  that  his  mind  was  awake  to  the 
subject  of  religion,  and  that  he  was  anxious  for  in- 
struction :  his  sins  appeared  before  him  in  fearful 
magnitude,  and  all  hope  of  pardon  seemed  to  have 
fled.  He  imagined  he  had  sinned  beyond  the  pos- 
sibility of  forgiveness.  He,  however,  listened  with 
evident  interest,  as  I  endeavored  to  preach  to  him 
the  blessed  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  unfold  the 
fulness  and  freeness  of  salvation  through  Christ 
Jesus.  After  conversing  and  praying  with  him,  I 
took  my  leave  of  him,  promising  to  see  him  again 
shortly. 

"  On  the  following  Thursday  I  repaired  to  his 
bedside,  and  found  him  extremely  feeble,  in  conse- 


INCIDENTS.  63 

quence  of  the  operation  to  which  he  had  submitted, 
and  that  he  could  converse  but  little.  On  this  oc- 
casion, I  soon  perceived  that  a  great  change  had 
taken  place  in  his  experience — the  clouds  had  dis- 
persed, and  he  now  joyfully  received  the  good  news 
that  Jesus  Christ  came  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost ; 
and  that  whoever  belie veth  on  Him,  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  He  remarked, 
'  that  he  thought  he  had  given  himself  to  the  Sav- 
iour, and  that  he  could  now  rely  on  Him  for  salva- 
tion. Yesterday,'  said  he,  '  was  a  sweet  day,  for  it 
was  impressed  upon  my  mind,  that  if  I  would  be- 
lieve on  Christ,  He  would  save  my  soul.  He  makes 
me  happy,  He  is  indeed  precious  to  my  soul.  I 
wish  I  was  able  to  talk,  but  I  am  too  weak.'  His 
view  of  the  plan  of  salvation  appears  Scriptural, 
and  I  cannot  but  hope  he  has  made  his  peace  with 
God." 

"  The  triumphs  of  Divine  grace,"  concludes  the 
Chaplain,  in  one  of  his  Reports  to  the  Managers, 
"which  we  are  permitted  to  witness  among  these 
poor  ignorant  subjects  of  your  charity,  seem  often 
to  consecrate  the  place,  and  call  forth  involuntarily 
the  exclamation  of  the  poet — 

'  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate, 
Is  privileged  beyond  the  common  walks  of  life, 
quite  on  the  verge  of  heaven.' 


64  MRS.   R.'S  STATEMENT. 

And  we  are  constrained  to  feel  that  the  self-denying 
effort  in  which  this  Society  is  engaged,  is  eminently 
approved  of  God.  And  may  we  not  hope  that  some 
bright  gems,  that  will  adorn  the  Saviour's  crown, 
will  be  gathered  from  those  who  have  been  the 
humble  pensioners  of  your  bounty  1  l  Cast  thy 
bread  upon  the  waters  ;  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after 
many  days.' " 


MRS.    R.'S   STATEMENT. 

Mrs.  R.,  of  the  Reading  Committee,  in  speaking 
of  the  readiness  with  which  the  inmates  listened  to 
religious  instruction,  states  : — 

"  It  is  a  delightful  occupation,  and  not  mi  worthy 
the  follower  of  Jesus,  to  sit  in  the  society  of  such 
as  when  He  was  on  earth  He  delighted  to  meet  and 
to  bless— the  poor,  the  sick,  the  lame,  and  the  blind ; 
and  to  dispense,  not  indeed  like  Him  the  words 
which  gave  the  body  healing  ;  but  those  of  spiritual 
comfort  and  hope.  It  is  truly  gratifying  to  find  so 
many  among  those  whom  the  world  overlooks  as 
poor  and  ignorant,  '  rich  in  faith,'  and  wise  unto 
salvation.  They  cannot,  in  some  instances,  read — 
nor  can  they  in  words  of  burning  eloquence  explain 


MRS.    R.'S   STATEMENT.  65 

how  the  love  of  God  has  operated  to  work  in  them 
a  return  of  that  love — but  they  have  the  witness 
within.  ' Jesus  is  precious,  very  precious?  '•The 
Lord  has  taken  sin  from  the  soul,''  are  expressions 
testifying  their  experimental  knowledge  of  the  justi- 
fying and  sanctifying  grace  of  God. 

"One  on  her  death-bed  said  to  me:  'Jesus  is  with 
me  all  the  time — when  I  awake  in  the  night,  it 
seems  as  if  His  arms  were  around  me,  and  all  the 
day  He  continues  near  me.'  These  expressions 
prove  nothing  in  themselves,  except,  as  in  the  case 
of  these  persons,  supported  by  the  tenor  of  the  daily 
life — but  they  come  with  a  power  which  no  human 
eloquence  can  give." 

It  is  certainly  very  encouraging  to  the  hearts  of 
the  Reading  Committee  to  receive  so  kind  a  welcome 
from  those  poor  creatures,  who  know  that  we  come 
to  minister  to  their  spiritual  rather  than  their  bodily 
wants.  Many  among  them  seem  to  be  sensible  of  the 
importance  of  being  able  to  read  the  Scriptures,  and 
are  diligent  scholars  at  the  feet  of  those  of  their  number 
who  were  more  fortunate  in  early  life,  and  obtai»ed 
this  accomplishment.  One  woman,  of  perhaps  70 
ysars,  began  to  learn  her  alphabet,  and  in  about  one 
month,  such  was  her  application  and  zeal,  that,  with 
the  aid  of  occasional  prompting,  she  learned  to  read 
several  chapters  in  St.  John's  Gospel.  "  One  aged 
3* 


66  MRS.   E.'S   STATEMENT. 

woman  (continues  Mrs.  R.)  excited  my  interest  by 
her  contentment  of  spirit.  I  ventured  to  ask  her  the 
cause  of  her  cheerfulness.  '  Oh,'  said  she,  '  I  live 
in  hope  of  a  better  place  when  I  leave  this  one  ;  I 
take  comfort  in  thinking  of  Heaven.  I  know  my 
kind  Master,  who  has  carried  me  so  far  on  my  way 
towards  it,  will  not  desert  me  in  my  old  age.  His 
grace  has  been,  and  I  trust  ever  will  be,  my  support 
on  the  way.'  Again  :  '  A  girl,  to  whom  my  atten- 
tion was  directed,  had  been  brought  to  the  home  a 
few  weeks  since  in  the  last  stage  of  consumption. 
Although  her  bodily  health  was  hopelessly  gone, 
she  had  recourse  to  the  Physician  of  souls,  and  found 
recovering  grace  at  the  last  hour — grief  for  sin,  and 
anxiety  for  pardon,  for  many  days  overcame  and 
swallowed  up  her  bodily  sufferings.  A  short  time 
before  her  death  she  seemed  to  find  spiritual  comfort, 
and  she  finally  breathed  her  last,  with  her  song  of 
triumph  on  her  lips.  These  and  other  instances 
show  the  incalculable  benefit  of  this  Institution  to 
the  souls  of  that  neglected  class  who  come  under  its 
case." 


FETER   BENSE.  67 


PETER    BENSE, 

Or  " Peter  Polite"  as  he  was  familiarly  called  at 
the  Home,  on  account  of  his  suavity  of  manner  and 
respectful  demeanor  toward  every  one. 

To  his  superiors  he  always  observed  a  marked 
deference,  while  to  his  associates  and  familiars  he 
was  courteous  and  pleasant.  His  address  and  man- 
ner appeared  to  belong  to  the  school  of  Louis  XIY. 

We  do  not  feel  authorized  to  make  any  special 
record  of  him  as  a  decided  Christian  character  ;  but, 
from  his  general  conduct  and  moral  deportment 
while  an  inmate  of  the  Home,  we  have  reason  to 
hope  that  he  was  not  unmindful  of  his  eternal  in- 
terests ;  and  trust  that  he  found  mercy  of  the  Lord 
in  the  day  of  his  extremity.  The  varied  and  singu- 
lar, events  of  his  changeful  life,  make  him  worthy  a 
passing  notice  in  this  brief  history:  we  therefore 
give  a  short  sketch  of  him,  as  obtained  from  verbal 
conversation  occasionally  had  with  him  by  the  resi- 
dent physician,  Dr.  J.  D.  Fitch,  to  whom  he  ap- 
peared pleased  to  communicate  some  of  the  past 
scenes  and  circumstances  connected  with  his  early 
life. 

His  statement  was,  that  he  was  born  in  one  of 


68  PETER  BENSE. 

the  West  India  islands,  and  that  at  a  very  early  age 
he  was  taken  by  a  gentleman  to  England,  with  whom 
he  lived  in  the  city  of  London  until  he  was  probably 
twenty  years  old.  He  then  accompanied  some  pub- 
lic functionary  (name  not  recollected)  as  valet,  to  the 
Court  of  St.  Petersburgh.  In  that  city  he  remained 
until  he  was  probably  thirty-five  years  old.  .  While 
there,  he  frequently  accompanied  his  master  to  court, 
where,  from  his  complexion,  he  was  viewed  some- 
what as  a  curiosity,  and  was  treated  by  members  of 
the  royal  family  with  marked  kindness  and  favor. 
He  spoke  of  the  Empress  Catharine  with  strong  ex- 
pressions of  respect  and  esteem,  and  even  of  affection, 
on  account  of  her  great  kindness  and  attention  to  him. 
On  one  occasion,  when  his  master's  duties  required 
him  to  be  absent  for  some  weeks  from  St.  Petersburgh, 
at  the  special  request  of  the  Empress  he  was  permitted 
to  remain  at  the  Palace  Royal  until  his  return ; 
where  he  served  not  only  as  '  valet ' — but.  having 
considerable  taste  as  a  coiffeur,  he  was  frequently 
employed  in  that  capacity  by  the  Royal  Household. 
Among  other  reminiscences  mentioned  by  Peter, 
he  stated,  that  he  was  either  in  or  near  the  palace 
at  the  time  of  the  assassination  of  the  Emperor  Paul 
in  1801.  He  seemed  quite  familiar  with  the  princi- 
.  pal  occurrences  of  that  eventful  period — and  while 
relating  them  manifested  deep  feeling  and  interest. 


PETEK  BENSE.  69 

During  his  residence  in  St.  Petersburgh.  he  mar- 
ried a  young  native  Russian  woman,  by  whom  he 
had  two  sons.  About  this  time,  (probably  about 
1810,)  his  master  was  recalled  home.  After  bidding 
adieu  to  his  wife  and  children,  he  entered  with  his 
master  on  board  of  an  English  vessel  then  awaiting 
them  at  one  of  the  Russian  seaport  towns.  He  re- 
marked it  was  a  severe  trial  for  him  to  part  with  his 
family — but  he  left  them  with  the  determination  of 
returning  to  them  whenever  circumstances  would 
permit  him  so  to  do. 

While  on  their  way  to  England,  and  on  the 
coast  of  France,  their  vessel  was  taken  by  a  French 
cruiser,  and  carried  into  Brest ;  from  thence  he,  with 
his  master,  were  conveyed  prisoners  to  Paris.  He 
stated  that  his  master,  although  held  a  prisoner, 
was,  by  the  order  of  Napoleon,  treated  with  great 
attention,  and  allowed  to  visit  and  receive  visits  from 
many  distinguished  individuals  residing  in  Paris. 
Among  these  were  Marshals  Ney  and  Soult. 

On  one  occasion  his  master  was  invited  to  dine 
with  the  latter ;  Peter  accompanied,  and  waited  on 
him  at  table,  this  being  customary.  There  were 
many  prominent  characters  present,  who  flourished 
during  the  career  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon.  He  re- 
mained in  Paris  until  after  peace,  and  after  the  en- 


70  PETER  BENSE 

trance  of  the  allied  armies:  leaving  it  just  after  Na- 
poleon had  departed  for  Elba. 

During  his  stay  in  Paris,  which  was  three  or  four 
years,  he  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  the 
Emperor  both  at  Reviews  and  at  the  Palace  Royal, 
as  attendant  on  persons  connected  with  the  families  of 
Soult  and  Rey.  He  was  in  London  at  the  visit  of  the 
Emperor  of  Russia  and  King  of  Prussia  to  the  Prince 
Regent,  and  appeared  familiar  with  all  the  gay  scenes 
of  that  period.  He  saw  the  Prince  Regent  on  horse- 
back ride  around  Hyde  Park,  accompanied  b}~  Royal 
personages  ;  and  he  was  at  London  during  the  cor- 
onation of  George  lYth,  assisting  as  coiffeur  to  his 
master,  who  attended  on  that  august  occasion.  He 
frequently,  in  his  relation  of  the  events  of  his  life, 
mentioned  many  of  the  circumstances  attending  the 
all-exciting  subjects  of  that  day.  He  related  many 
things  connected  with  the  trial  of  Queen  Caroline, 
consort  of  George  IY. ;  had  frequent  opportunities  of 
seeing  her ;  and  his  sympathies  were  great  on  her 
behalf. 

Amidst  all  the  changing  vicissitudes  of  his  wan- 
dering life,  Peter  remarked  that  he  never  forgot  his 
wife  and  children,  but  constantly  looked  forward  to 
the  time  when  he  should  again  return  to  them. 
When  in  London  the  last  time,  he  received  informa- 
tion in  some  way,  that  his  family  had  gone  to  the 


PETER  BENSE.  71 

United  States  and  had  landed  in  New- York,  expect- 
ing to  meet  him  there.  On  this  intelligence,  he  ob- 
tained permission  of  his  master  to  go  and  join  them. 
He  immediately  left  England  and  proceeded  to 
America,  full" of  hope  and  anticipated  happiness  of 
again  clasping  to  his  bosom  the  wife  of  his  youth, 
and  his  children.  But  ah !  how  sad  was  his  disap- 
pointment !  On  arriving  in  New- York,  all  his  inqui- 
ries respecting  them  were  unsuccessful,  and  he  could 
gain  no  information  whatever  respecting  them.  His 
continued  efforts  incurred  expenses,  and  his  little 
fund  becoming  exhausted, — poor  and  dispirited  he 
sought  the  situation  of  a  waiter,  still  determined,  so 
soon  as  he  could  raise  the  means,  to  go  back  to  St. 
Petersburgh,  and  seek  his  family. 

The  accomplishment  of  this  hope  he  never  real- 
ized. Anxieties,  and  the  infirmities  of  age  broke 
down  his  health- — his  means  of  sustenance  failed — 
and  in  this  day  of  his  emergencies  (1841),  he  came 
to  the  Colored  Home,  seeking  there  within  its  walls 
a  refuge  and  a  resting-place.  Here  he  remained 
until  his  decease,  which  occurred  in  June  1848, 
being  as  was  supposed  about  ninety-three  years  old. 

Peter  Bense  was  remarkable  for  his  fluency  of 
expression, — he  spoke  with  the  French  accent.  His 
memory  was  remarkably  retentive ;  in  which  there 
seemed  but  one  defect ;  there  appeared  to  be  a  perfect 


72  PETER  BENSE. 

vacuum  in  his  mind  as  to  the  time  which  had 
elapsed  since  he  separated  from  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren; and  when  within  a  few  days  of  his  death  his 
spirits  revived,  and  he  spoke  cheerfully  of  the  hope 
of  again  meeting  them ;  associating  always  the  idea 
that  he  should  find  them  as  youthful  and  juvenile 
as  when  he  parted  from  them — although  nearly  half 
a  century  had  passed  away. 

Among  the  articles  which  he  considered  of  great 
value,  were  notes  of  recommendation  from  many  dis- 
tinguished personages  both  in  England  and  France ; 
and  most  particularly,  a  large  parchment,  on  which 
was  written  his  passport  in  the  Russian  language. 
His  appearance  when  walking  in  the  street  was  dig- 
nified ;  carrying  in  his  hand  a  large  brass-headed 
cane,  the  companion  of  many  years.  His  head  was 
covered  with  full  bushy  hair,  which,  being  whitened 
by  age,  had  much  the  appearance  of  a  wig. 

Alas !  poor  Bense.  Heaven  had  decreed  that 
you  should  never  meet  again  on  earth  the  loved  ones 
of  your  earlier  days.  May  the  hope  be  realized  in 
that  land  of  joy  and  gladness,  where  sorrow,  disap- 
pointment, and  parting  are  never  known. 


CONCLUDING  EEMARKS.  73 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 

It  would  extend  the  limits  of  these  pages  too  far, 
and  time  would  fail  us,  to  tell  of  all  those  who  have 
found  the  Home  but  a  pleasant  stage  in  their  jour- 
ney through  this  weary  world  to  their  final  resting- 
place  ;  and  who  have  died  in  faith  in  a  certain  hope 
of  finding  a  "  better  country,  even  a  heavenly ; 
wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their 
God,  for  He  hath  prepared  for  them  a  city." 

In  the  foregoing  instances  we  see  that  the  minds 
of  these  sable  ones  were  as  susceptible  of  those  feel- 
ings which  dignify  and  elevate  human  nature  as 
those  of  others ;  and  the  humble,  grateful  expres- 
sion of  their  sense  of  God's  mercy  to  them  through 
Christ,  as  sincere  and  lively  as  ever  emanated  from 
those  who  may  have  been  highly  cultivated,  or 
placed  in  more  enlightened  society  under  greater 
advantages. 

The  influence  of  grace  upon  the  heart  is  the 
same  in  its  effects  upon  all  classes ;  as  far  as  chang- 
ing the  will  and  temper  is  concerned.  It  humbles 
pride,  and  subdues  the  will ;  it  changes  the  heart  of 
man,  and  brings  him  to  view  himself  in  his  true 
character;    a  poor,   wretched    sinner,    exposed    to 


74  CONCLUDING  EEMAEKS. 

the  just  displeasure  of  a  Holy   God  whom  he  has 
offended. 

When  he  becomes  sensible  of  this,  he  is  willing 
to  be  saved  on  God's  terms.  And  this  is  the  same, 
whether  in  the  son  of  a  prince,  or  untutored,  unlet- 
tered child  of  obscurity,  whatever  be  his  complexion 
or  circumstances.  He  who  "made  of  one  blood 
all  nations  of  men,"  careth  alike  for  all.  The  Sa- 
viour died  for  sinners — that  whoever  believeth  on 
Him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 
The  redemption  of  the  soul  is  precious. 

Can  we,  then,  be  too  earnest  in  seeking  it  both  in 
ourselves  and  others  ? — can  we  do  too  much  to  cause 
"  the  abundant  grace  by  the  thanksgiving  of  many, 
to  redound  with  glory  to  God  ?"  Led  of  His  Spirit 
and  His  Providence ;  and  blessed  as  we  have  in  this 
effort  been  of  Him ;  is  it  possible  that  we  can  do  too 
much  for  Jesus  ? — for  Jesus,  who  for  us  endured  the 
cross,  despising  the  shame  ! 

M.  W.  T. 


CONDENSED  STATEMENT   OF   THE   COL- 
ORED HOME— ITS  ORIGIN,  <fcc. 

The  Colored  Home  of  the  city  of  New- York  originated 
in  the  liberality  of  one  Christian  lady — Miss  Jay,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  distinguished  and  venerable  John  Jay,  of 
New-York. 

The  sum  of  One  Thousand  Dollars  was  paid  over  by 
Miss  Jay,  to  a  few  ladies  who  convened  at  the  residence 
of  her  sister,  Mrs.  Maria  Bauyer,  in  the  autumn  of  1839. 
The  sum  appropriated  was  especially  designed  for  the 
relief  of  the  sick  and  respectable  Colored  Aged. 

This  was  the  origin  of  the  Colored  Home.  In  the 
year  1845,  the  Society  was  incorporated  by  the  State  Le- 
gislature, under  the  title  of  "  Tlie  Society  for  the  Support 
of  the  Colored  Home.11  A  petition  was  also  presented  to 
the  Legislature  for  the  repeal  of  certain  acts  passed 
March   11th,  1839,  and  May  26th,  1841  (which  appro- 


76  CONDENSED  STATEMENT. 

priated  $10,000  for  a  State  Hospital  in  the  city  of  New- 
York),  asking  a  transfer  of  the  money  therein  named  to 
the  Colored  Home. 

These  acts  were  repealed,  a  new  act  framed,  and  the 
money  aforesaid  was  transferred  to  the  Managers  of  the 
Colored  Home,  to  be  applied  to  the  erection  of  a  perma- 
nent building  on  the  real  estate  belonging  to  the  said 
Home  in  the  city  of  New-York,  for  the  relief  and  sup- 
port of  disabled  Colored  Sailors,  and  other  infirm  and 
destitute  colored  people. 

"With  a  view  to  more  extensive  usefulness,  the  Society 
made  arrangements  with  the  Commissioners  of  the  Aims- 
House,  to  receive  into  the  Institution,  at  a  very  low  rate, 
all  colored  paupers  of  the  city,  reserving  the  right  to 
reject  such  applicants  as  the  resident  physician  should 
medically  pronounce  unfit  patients  for  the  Colored 
Home. 

In  1848,  the  Society  purchased  44  lots  of  ground 
lying  on  Sixty-Fifth-street,  between  Avenue  A  and  First 
Avenue  ;  upon  which  the  Managers  have  recently  erected 
a  suitable  building.  It  consists  of  two  distinct  divisions 
or  wings,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  male  and  female 
departments,  each  100  by  26  feet,  separated  by  a  ground 
plot  of  100  feet,  the  whole  forming  an  open  square. 

At  the  first  meeting,  in  1839,  after  the  adoption  of 


OFFICERS.  77 

the  constitution,  twelve  individuals  were  proposed  and 
received  as  objects  worthy  of  relief. 

During  the  year  1847,  the  statistics  show  that  the 
Institution  had,  during  that  period,  under  its  care  nearly 
one  tJwusand  persons ;  a  large  proportion  of  whom  were 
from  the  Aims-House. 

The  Colored  Home  is  conducted  in  a  careful  and  ju- 
dicious manner. 

The  following  persons  at  present  constitute  its  Board 
of  Officers  and  Managers  : — 

OFFICERS : 
Mrs.  Mart  Ann  Wells,  First  Directress. 
Mrs.  Samuel  J.  Beebee,  Second  Directress. 
Mrs.  William  W.  Chester,  Recording  Secretary. 
Mrs.  N.  E.  Russell,  Corresponding  Secretary. 
Mrs.  John  Harper,  Treasurer. 

MANAGERS : 
Mrs.  P.  G.  Arcularius,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Fitch, 

Mrs.  C.  B.  Noon,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Willis, 

Mrs.  Thomas  D.  Moore,  Mrs.  John  A.  Livingston, 

Mrs.  Harvey  Peet,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Winston, 

Mrs.  Edward  Stone,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Smyth, 

Mrs.  Col.  Thompson,  Miss  Sarah  Bunce, 

Mrs.  B.  B.  Atterbury,  Miss  M.  Beebee, 

Mrs.  E.  M.  De  Peyster,  Miss  M.  C.  De  Peyster, 

Mrs.  Washington  Roosevelt,        Miss  Elizabeth  Clarkson  Jay, 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Goddard,  Miss  A.  Hamilton, 

Miss  C.  Murrav. 


78  OFFICERS. 

ADVISERS : 

W.  W.  Chester,  Esq.,  James  D.  Fitch,  M.  D., 

John  Jay,  Esq.,  John  Harper,  Esq., 

W.  G.  Bull,  Esq.,  Stephen  Cambrelling,  Esq., 

John  A.  Bunting,  Esq. 

Chaplain — Rev.  Charles  C.  Darling. 
Steivard — James  Beattt. 
Matron — Ann  M.  Beatty. 
Teacher — Sarah  Beatty. 

MEDICAL  DEPARTMENT : 

Resident  Physician — James  D.  Fitch,  M.  D. 
Assistant  Physician — Dr.  H.  K.  Olmsted. 

MEDICAL  COUNCIL : 

HONORARY   MEMBERS. 

J.  C.  Cheeseman,  M.  D.  Thomas  Cock,  M.  D. 

PHYSICIANS: 

J.  W.  Francis,  M.  D.  T.  M.  Markoe,  M.  D. 

George  Wilkes,  M.  D. 

SURGEONS : 
Willard  Parker,  M.  D.  G.  A.  Sabine,  M.  D. 

J.  K.  Rodgers,  M.  D. 


